[Clinical Trial Published in  the  Journal of  Alzheimers Disease]

 The effect of an aloe polymannose multinutrient complex on cognitive and immune functioning in Alzheimer's disease  

  John E Lewis,  H Reginald McDaniel, Marc E Agronin, David A Loewenstein, Jorge Riveros, Rafael Mestre, Mairelys Martinez, Niurka Colina, Dahlia Abreu, Janet Konefal, Judi M Woolger, Karriem H Ali               

Abstract:             

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading killer of Americans, imparts  a significant toll on the quality of life of the patient and primary  caregiver, and results in inordinate costs in an already overburdened  medical system. Prior studies on cholinesterase inhibitors among AD  patients have shown minimal amelioration of disease symptoms and/or  restoration of lost cognitive functioning. The effect of improved  nutrition, particularly with dietary supplements, on cognitive  functioning may offer an alternative strategy compared to standard  treatment. The present pilot study investigated the effect of an aloe  polymannose multinutrient complex (APMC) formula on cognitive and immune  functioning over 12 months among adults diagnosed with AD. Subjects  participated in an open-label trial and consumed 4 teaspoons per day of  the APMC. The ADAS-cog, MMSE, ADCS-ADL, and SIB were administered at  baseline and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months follow-up. Cytokines and lymphocyte  and monocyte subsets were assessed at baseline and 12 months. The mean  ADAS-cog cognition score significantly improved at 9 and 12 months from  baseline, and 46% of our sample showed clinically-significant  improvement (≥4-point change) from baseline to 12 months. Participants  showed significant decreases in tumor necrosis factor-α, vascular  endothelial growth factor, and interleukins-2 and-4. CD90+, CD95+CD3+,  CD95+CD34+, CD95+CD90+, CD14+CD34+, CD14+CD90+, and CD14+CD95+ decreased  significantly, whereas CD14+ significantly increased. Participants  tolerated the APMC supplement with few, temporary adverse reactions. Our  results showed improvements in both clinical and physiological outcomes  for a disease that otherwise has no standard ameliorative remedy.     

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