As people get older, most find that they experience sleep problems, including difficulty falling asleep and interrupted sleep, leading to a significant reduction in the amount of deep sleep they get each night. Poor sleep not only causes fatigue but can also jeopardize brain health and affect its long-term function. Therefore, sufficient sleep is crucial for brain health.
According to a survey published a few years ago by the Taiwan Society of Sleep Medicine, research on sleep problems among Taiwanese seniors aged 65 and older indicated that the proportion of those experiencing insomnia was as high as 50.8%. This means that, on average, one in every two people experiences difficulty falling asleep, light sleep, or waking up early and being unable to fall back asleep at least once a week.
For people over 50 who sleep less than 7 hours a day, the risk of dementia may increase by 30%.
Dr. Weng Zisheng, a neurologist, stated that according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults should get at least 7 hours of sleep per night. However, many middle-aged and elderly people frequently experience sleep interruptions, making it difficult to achieve the recommended sleep duration.
Studies show that both insufficient and excessive sleep can impair cognitive function and increase the risk of dementia, affecting learning, thinking ability, attention, and memory. Appropriate sleep duration helps slow cognitive decline and maintain brain sharpness.
A research team at the University of Paris, France, recruited nearly 8,000 British adults aged 50 to 70 and tracked their sleep for 25 years. The results showed that compared to those who slept 7 hours a day, participants over 50 who slept less than 6 hours a day had a 30% increased risk of developing dementia (Alzheimer’s disease).
Can insomnia lead to dementia? It may be due to the inability to eliminate toxins from the brain.
Why does insomnia lead to dementia? Dr. Weng Tzu-Sheng points out that current research has found that the key reason for dementia is the inability of the brain to eliminate toxic substances (such as beta-amyloid), which accumulate daily and damage brain nerve cells, leading to neurodegeneration and problems with nerve transmission, causing memory loss, cognitive decline, and other brain damage.
A study published in Science found that when a person falls asleep and enters the deep sleep (non-REM) stage, brain neurons stop firing, and blood flow in the brain decreases, replaced by cerebrospinal fluid.
The cerebrospinal fluid flowing into the brain can clear beta-amyloid, which causes Alzheimer’s disease, and other protein waste accumulated in the brain. Dr. Weng Tzu-Sheng says that if sleep does not reach the deep sleep stage, the amyloid-beta and waste in the brain cannot be cleared, increasing the risk of dementia. Therefore, those who frequently suffer from insomnia should actively improve their sleep quality, exercise, dietary habits, and pay attention to nutrient supplementation.
International journals report that the health supplement ingredient AIE2 effectively reduces the accumulation of toxic proteins in the brain.
In recent years, scientists have discovered that Cistanche tubulosa contains an ingredient called AIE2. Studies using animal models of Alzheimer’s disease have confirmed that AIE2 helps reduce the accumulation of amyloid-beta protein (a toxic protein) in the hippocampus of the brain. A 2019 publication found that AIE2 can chelate heavy metals and other toxic substances, facilitating their excretion from the body. This research was published in the international journal Molecular and featured on the cover of that issue.
Experiments showed that the group that consumed AIE2 had significantly shorter escape times in a water maze compared to the control group, and also demonstrated improved directional learning, spatial cognition, learning and memory, and experiential learning abilities. This indicates that AIE2 can enhance learning and memory.
Brain examinations revealed that the AIE2-consuming group experienced a 37% reduction in brain oxidative damage and a 40% improvement in the oxidative defense system, demonstrating protection of brain cells from damage. Furthermore, the activity of the enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters (acetylcholinesterase) was significantly reduced, resulting in a 40.4% decrease in neurotransmission damage.
In the brains of the experimental subjects, a 23.6% reduction in amyloid-beta protein deposition in the hippocampus was observed. Increased AIE2 dosage further enhanced the removal of Alzheimer’s plaques from the brain, contributing to a reduction in memory impairment.
Human clinical trials published in an international Alzheimer’s disease journal also showed that elderly individuals with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease who consumed a patented Cistanche tubulosa extract containing AIE2 experienced a slower rate of cognitive decline, including memory and language abilities. This effectively slowed the progression of the disease and helped maintain their cognitive function and independent living abilities.
AIE2 is a group of active ingredients with a specific compositional ratio, which can only be identified and confirmed through plant fingerprinting technology. It is protected by patents in multiple countries. When choosing this product, special attention should be paid to selecting one with national health food certification (indicated by the “Little Green Man” logo), and ideally one that has demonstrated anti-aging effects or received awards for brain health (such as the Brain Health Innovation Product Award). It is recommended for preventative health use in individuals over 50 years old to improve learning ability, promote a healthier and more vibrant retirement, and create a fulfilling second half of life.
Preventing dementia should start with everyday life.
Dr. Weng Zisheng reminds us that it’s better to prevent diseases than to treat them after they occur. To prevent dementia, one should develop a regular exercise habit to promote overall blood circulation; maintain a positive mood and avoid falling into depression; and participate in social activities and engage in various learning activities to stimulate the brain and maintain vitality.
In terms of diet, eat regular meals with appropriate portions, consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in protein, unsaturated fatty acids, and fiber, and maintain a low-salt, low-calorie, and low-fat diet. Quitting smoking and alcohol is also crucial in preventing the onset of dementia.
