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2025 brings exciting news on natural supplements for dementia, memory and Alzheimer’s. This and cancer research have been the holy grail of research for decades.
Now we have more answers.
Supplements for Memory and Alzheimer’s
Choline and Lithium are the key – but they must be in the correct FORM of the vitamin (Choline) and the mineral (Lithium). Orotate may be the most absorbable, correct form of Lithium. Bitartrate is the best form for Choline. I carry both in my Online Store, separately and together.
This article from NeuroScience News speaks to Choline and Memory studies.
Natural Supplements for Memory
1). Choline and memory
2). Choline in food
3). Lithium and the brain
4). Lithium sources
5). Doses for Choline and Lithium supplements for memory
Choline and Memory
Choline is the raw material used to make our powerful AcetylCholine neurotransmitter.
It is a Vitamin. It helps Omega 3 fats and B Vitamins such as Folate function properly.
As the precursor to Acetylcholine neurotransmitter, it helps process and store memories, retain knowledge and learn.
Studies since 2019 show Choline impacts brain electrical energy, somewhat like “waking up” the brain, yielding more clarity of thinking and less forgetfulness.
Choline may slow the progression of early-stage Alzheimer’s as well as provide everyday support to ALL of us in our daily lives in many ways. (More on this in another article).
Amounts of Choline in Food
The traditional recommendation for Choline in adults is 425 – 550 mg. daily for life. This may be the minimum amount as we age.
However, 90% of humans are said to be deficient in Choline.
Best foods for Choline:
3 ounces Liver or other organ meat yields 359 mg.
3 ounces ocean fish yields 187 mg.
1 egg yolk = 169 mg.
3 ounces beef – 115; 3 ounces chicken or turkey = 72 mg.
Beans = 50 – 200; 1 cup cooked Shitake = 115; 1 cup vegetables (especially Cauliflower) = 10 – 72 mg.; 1 large red potato = 57 mg.
Choline Deficiency
The recommended minimum 500 mg. daily is attainable with 2 whole eggs and 2 servings of red meats or ocean fish (3 servings poultry).
Diets based on grains and sugars contain little or no Choline. Meats and eggs are too expensive for many. Vegans, semi-vegetarians and those intolerant to eggs are at risk of deficiency. Choline is mandatory in pregnancy.
In addition, as with ALL minerals, certain forms are more absorbable than others. Choline Bitartrate is the most studied, best absorbed.
Lithium and the Brain
Lithium is an ordinary mineral found rarely in soil or water, just like Calcium, Zinc and other minerals. It is quite rare in most of the world.
Truly exciting research is showing small amounts (5 – 50mg.) of Lithium may PREVENT and/or REVERSE Alzheimer’s Plaques and Tau Tangles in the brain. Here is one study.
Mice studies have shown reversal of cognitive decline in maze-running and reduction in amyloid beta and tau images when using Lithium Orotate. Previous research had been used with Lithium Carbonate – the Orotate form showed the breakthrough in reduction.
High doses of Lithium are used medically to treat BiPolar Disorder. Doses of 600 – 1200 mg. daily are seen with pharmaceutical Lithium. Daily low doses of Lithium Orotate is hundreds of times less than this.
See below for dosage information (5 – 50 mg. daily).
Lithium Sources
Lithium is rarely found in food.
The most common and famous way to get Lithum is in Mineral Hot Springs. Certain springs worldwide are known for their Lithium or Sulfur content.
There are no food or water sources for Lithium other than random small amounts in the soil where your food was grown. It has to be supplemented – possibly daily for life.
Lithium Orotate is the form being studied. It is widely available and affordable. It is here in my Online Store.
And here in our popular Gabatone supplement useful for daily calming, emotional stability, sleep, anxiety and much more.
Dosing Choline Bitartrate for Memory
Choline Bitartrate: 1 or 2 daily (with breakfast) may provide improvements in thinking and memory. Choline for dementia powers the brain to fire faster. Reduce or discontinue if causes anxiety or insomnia. This is a “side effect” of giving the brain more AcetylCholine to work with but is not optimal.
Perhaps 1 Choline every other day as a starting dose.
If struggling with dementia, work up to 4 daily, in divided doses with breakfast and lunch. Avoid it later in the day.
If you avoid eggs or are pregnant, you need extra Choline. This form is preferred over Phosphatidyl Choline.
Dosing Lithium Orotate for Memory
Lithium Orotate: 1 – 6 a day in divided doses with food long term. Use the higher dosages as memory loss occurs, or if already present.
Ours is a very low dose 5 mg. capsule. It does not cause sleepiness or any other effect – just helps protect and clean the brain! It is also in Apex Energetics Gabatone, one of our top supplements for managing stress, anxiety and mental “overload”.
Choline for Parkinson’s and Tremors
Choline has been studied for Parkinson’s as well.
It appears to improve tremors (in the general public as well as those with Parkinson’s) as well as rigidity, speech, involuntary movement, and memory.
I sell and take Choline Bitartrate. Phosphatidyl and other forms of Choline do not work as well for me. Research by Dr. George Goodheart showed many years ago that Choline Orotate was the preferred form.
Another type of Choline, Citicholine – is being tried in Parkinson’s.
Alzheimer’s and Blood Sugar
This article and Primal Diet – Modern Health podcast examine research that chronically elevated blood sugar is a significant cause of Alzheimer’s. It has been called “Diabetes of the Brain”.
