Aluminum in Drinking Water Tied to Alzheimer's
 (San Diego, Reuters Health, 4/14/03)

Dr. Paolo Prolo of the University of California at L.A., and team, exposed human immune-system cells and bone cancer cells to monomeric aluminum, the form of the element consisting of single molecules, which can be easily absorbed by the human body (not the type found in cookware).  Their lab experiments show that, even at low levels, the metal sped up cell death. And when the researchers mixed it with beta-amyloid, a protein found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, the mixture killed even more cells. The investigators also note that tests performed on drinking water in northwest Italy in 1998 show a link between high levels of  monomeric aluminum and increased incidence of Alzheimer’s disease.  These findings suggest that aluminum may play a role in Alzheimer's and other diseases.

(Annual Experimental Biology meeting, 2003)