Experts are studying how diet may affect the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Learn the latest research into this memory-robbing disease.
Little in life is as scary as the idea of forgetting our
loved ones, our histories, and ourselves. Yet that is exactly what is happening
to the more than 5 million people in North America suffering from Alzheimer’s
disease.
Mild forgetfulness in the early years of the disease slowly
expands to include serious problems with memory, language, and abstract
reasoning until eventually this brain disorder robs its victims of the ability
to function.
Despite extensive research, both cause and
cure for Alzheimer’s disease remain elusive. Experts theorize that a
complicated combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors result
in cognitive decline, though they are still working on exactly how it happens
and what can be done to prevent it.
One logical area of exploration is diet.
While there have been no definitive breakthroughs yet, there are certain foods
that are being carefully studied for their specific relationship to
Alzheimer's.
Diet and Alzheimer’s Disease: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and B Vitamins
“A few studies found a correlation between high dietary fish
with omega-3 fatty acid intake and a decrease in developing Alzheimer’s,” says
Tara Harwood, registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. “However,
more studies must be conducted before any conclusions can be drawn.”
High levels of homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood, have
been associated with the risk of dementia. One avenue being examined is whether
increasing intake of folate and vitamins B6 and B12, which break down
homocysteine, can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. “Neither vitamin B6 or B12
supplementation has been proven effective,” says Harwood, “but data from one
study found a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s for individuals with the highest
folate intake.”
Diet and Alzheimer’s Disease: Antioxidants
Another possible theory in the development of Alzheimer’s
disease involves free radicals destroying the integrity of the body’s cells.
These unstable molecules have the potential to cause cell aging and damage,
which could be one piece of the Alzheimer’s puzzle.
“You can reduce your exposure to free radicals by limiting
contact with the sun, environmental pollutants, and cigarette smoke,” says
Harwood. “However, free radicals are a byproduct of metabolism, which occurs
every minute of the day. Because it’s impossible to completely eliminate free
radicals, [eating foods with] antioxidants, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, beta
carotene, and flavonoids, can help.”
Foods high in antioxidants include berries, dark green and
orange vegetables, nuts, and beans. Specifically, studies have shown rats and
mice bred to develop Alzheimer’s disease had improved mental function after
being fed blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries. Green tea is also high in
antioxidants, and although it hasn’t been proven specifically to prevent
Alzheimer’s, it has been shown that drinking five cups a day can reduce one’s
risk of heart disease.
Diet and Alzheimer’s Disease: The Mediterranean Diet
A few recent studies conducted by researchers from the
neurology department at Columbia University Medical Center in New York have
looked at the possible preventive effects of the typical diet eaten by people
in countries around the Mediterranean sea, such as Greece. The “Mediterranean
diet” is primarily made up of fruits,
vegetables, and beans, fish, olive
oil, a moderate amount of wine, some dairy foods, and small amounts
of meat and chicken. Though more study is needed, results point to a reduced
risk of developing Alzheimer’s and lower mortality rate among those who
contracted the disease.
Diet and Alzheimer’s Disease: Next Steps
While there is no definitive answer to the Alzheimer’s
mystery, there are certainly clues to follow. “No changes in diet, dietary
supplements, food additives, vitamins, nor alternative herbal medicines have
ever been demonstrated to affect the risk for Alzheimer’s disease or the course
of the disease in a well-designed clinical trial experiment,” says Randolph
Schiffer, MD, director of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
in Cleveland. “With that said, most of us in the Alzheimer’s research field
believe that people should adopt and continue healthy lifestyles, including
diets low in saturated
fats and high in antioxidants and B vitamins.”
Until more research is available, it makes
sense to combine a good diet with physical and mental activity and social
interaction. This approach just might help keep Alzheimer’s disease, as well as
other illnesses, at bay.