May Be Diet Prevent Alzheimer's Disease ?

Little in life is as shuddery because the plan of forgetting our blue-eyed ones, our histories, and ourselves. nonetheless that's specifically what's happening to the over five million individuals in North America full of Alzheimer’s unwellness.

Mild forgetfulness within the early years of the unwellness slowly expands to incorporate serious issues with memory, language, and abstract reasoning till eventually this brain disease robs its victims of the flexibility to operate.

Despite in depth analysis, each cause and cure for Alzheimer’s unwellness stay elusive. consultants theorize that an advanced combination of genetic, environmental, and style factors end in psychological feature decline, although they're still performing on specifically however it happens and what are often done to forestall 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's no definitive answer to the Alzheimer’s mystery, there area unit definitely clues to follow. “No changes in diet, dietary supplements, food additives, vitamins, nor various seasoner medicines have ever been incontestible to have an effect on the chance for Alzheimer’s unwellness or the course of the unwellness in a very well-designed trial experiment,” says Randolph Schiffer, MD, director of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Cleveland. “With that same, most people within the Alzheimer’s analysis field believe that individuals ought to adopt and continue healthy lifestyles, as well as diets low in saturated fats and high in antioxidants and B vitamins.”

Until a lot of analysis is obtainable, it is sensible to mix an honest diet with physical and mental activity and social interaction. This approach simply may facilitate keep Alzheimer’s unwellness, similarly as different diseases, at bay.