Day 67- Acetylcholine & Memory

Acetylcholine (ACH) is produced both in the central nervous system (CNS) and in the peripheral nervous system (PNS); meaning in the brain and spinal column (CNS) and outside of the brain such as in the limbs and organs (PNS). In the CNS, Acetylcholine is used to promote excitatory actions for cognition, memory, and arousal.

In regards to the PNS, Acetylcholine is a major neurotransmitter for the autonomic nervous system. It is responsible for many important communications inside our body at a cellular level; such as keeping our heart and all the muscles in our bodies functioning properly by keeping them open to the stimulation they need to expand and contract.

When production or transmission of acetylcholine is impaired or blocked, cognitive, muscle, and other nervous system functions may begin to suffer.

Low Levels of Acetylcholine are associated with:

• Memory lapses
• Calculation difficulties
• Decreased arousal
• Impaired creativity
• Diminished comprehension
• Impaired judgment

Conditions associated with Acetylcholine imbalances:

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Dementia
• Myasthenia Gravis

The production of acetycholine begins with choline. There are two major sources of free choline. The most abundant source is from dietary consumption of foods that contain phosphatidylcholine and the second source is from production within the brain. Dietary sources of choline can increase choline levels in the blood and is easily transported across the blood-brain barrier.

Foods sources of Choline:

• Fatty pork
• Liver
• Eggs
• Beef
• Nuts
• Cream
• Fatty Cheeses
  

One thing that can deplete or inhibit acetylcholine in the body is medications. Common over the counter medications contain a property called "anti-cholinergic." Anti-cholinergic drugs inhibit activity of acetylcholine, which can lead to memory loss and cognitive impairment. Numerous drugs have been shown to act this way causing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which has been said to create or aggravate Alzheimer's type symptoms.

According to an article in the Huffington Post, the problem is that only a few of these drugs are officially classified as anti-cholinergic. The official anti-cholinergic drugs are mostly used for relieving intestinal cramps or bladder irritability and are labeled "anti-spasmodic."

But there are 17 additional types of drugs used for many other purposes that may also have anti-cholinergic effects. The list includes commonly used drugs like antihistamines, acid blockers and antidepressants. Unfortunately, many doctors and pharmacists are unaware of the anti-cholinergic properties of these medications.

For a list of medications that may have an anti-cholinergic affect, read the entire article here.

In order to tell if you are deficient in acetylcholine, I do not recommend testing through lab work, since the results will only be measuring the amount in your peripheral tissues and not the amount present in your brain. Instead answer the questions listed below to assess whether or not you are deficient.

Ask yourself these questions to see if you may be deficient in Acetylcholine:

• Do you feel your visual memory (shapes & images) is decreased?
• Do you feel your verbal memory is decreased?
• Do you have memory lapses?
• Has your creativity been decreased?
• Has your comprehension been diminished?
• Do you have difficulty calculating numbers?
• Do you have difficulty recognizing objects & faces?
• Do you feel like your opinion about yourself has changed?
• Are you experiencing excessive urination?
• Are you experiencing slower mental response?

Pura Vida!

Alica Ryan, NTP