Alzheimer's and Antioxidants

Paper Summary:

The paper describes Alzheimer's disease and the function of vitamins E and C as antioxidants. The paper reveals that clinical studies on the effect of vitamin C and vitamin E on cognitive decline give inconclusive and contradictory results. The paper therefore concludes that primary care practitioners should be cautious in recommending supplementation of vitamin E and vitamin C to patients with Alzheimer's. The paper suggests instead that patients should be encouraged to shift to a healthy, natural diet of fruit and vegetables.

Outline:
Objective
Alzheimer's Disease
Antioxidants
Review of Literature
Applications in Nursing

From the Paper:

"Mental capabilities gradually decline with increasing age. However, there are certain cases where the decline proceeds very rapidly. This abnormally rapid decline is not part of aging and gives rise to a group of disorders are called dementia. A severe form of dementia characterized by a gradual destruction of certain parts of the brain resulting in a progressively rapid decline in brain functions is the Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's affects certain parts of the brain that is involved in carrying out daily activities. In the process, a person with Alzheimer's loses a large part of his or her memory as well as the ability to reason, make judgments, learn, and communicate."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alzheimer's Association (2007). Fact Sheet Alzheimer's Disease.http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp#top
• Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, Gluud LL, Simonetti RG, Gluud C.(2007). Mortality in randomized trials of antioxidant supplements for primary and secondary prevention: systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 297 (8),842-57.
• Boothby LA, Doering PL. Vitamin C and vitamin E for Alzheimer's disease. Ann Pharmacother. 39(12), 2073-80.
• Dai Q, Borenstein AR, Wu Y, Jackson JC, Larson EB.(2006). Fruit and vegetable juices and Alzheimer's disease: the Kame Project. Am J Med. 119(19),751-9.
• Fillenbaum GG, Kuchibhatla MN, Hanlon JT, Artz MB, Pieper CF, Schmader KE, Dysken MW, Gray SL.(2005). Dementia and Alzheimer's disease in community-dwelling elders taking vitamin C and/or vitamin E. Ann Pharmacother. 39(12), 2009-14.

More papers on Alzheimer's and Antioxidants:

• Descriptive Essay # 140051 : "Alzheimers and Dementia"
• Research Paper # 94053 : "Alzheimer's Disease"
• Research Paper # 51313 : "Alzhiemer's Disease"

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