Researchers identify which diets are effective in lowering the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Findings were published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, Diet’s Role in Modifying Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease: History and Present Understanding.
The role of nutrition in lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease has been extensively studied. Plant-based diets, such as the Mediterranean diet and traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Indian cuisines, have been shown to reduce risk, particularly when compared to the Western diet.
Alzheimer’s disease rates rise in these countries as they make the nutrition transition to the Western diet. This study identifies dementia risk factors including higher consumption of saturated fats, meat, especially red meat such as hamburgers and barbeque as well as processed meats such as hot dogs, and ultra processed foods high in sugar and refined grains.
This review also lets us know why certain foods increase or reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease. For example, meat raised risk of dementia the most by increasing risk factors such as inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, saturated fat, advanced glycation end products, and trimethylamine N-oxide. This study also outlines several foods that are protective against Alzheimer’s disease, such as green leafy vegetables, colourful fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, omega-3 fatty acids, and whole grains.
Ultra processed foods can increase the risk of obesity and diabetes, themselves risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Ultra processed foods often lack the very ingredients found in whole plant foods that keep dementia away, such as anti-inflammatory components and antioxidants.
Poverty is an important driver of Alzheimer’s disease in the US since ultra processed foods and meat are cheaper sources of energy than fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other more nutritious foods, thus promoting obesity.
The paper also suggests that Alzheimer’s disease rates in the US are projected to increase by 50% from 2018 levels by 2038. This calculation is based on comparing trends of obesity in the US with Alzheimer’s disease trends. -TIN Bureau