Alzheimer’s Risk May Be Cut by 27% by Simple Diet Plan

A simple dietary intervention may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and related dementias, a new study suggests.

Over 5 million Americans over the age of 65 live with dementia, according to 2014 data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dementia comes in different forms—the most common of which is Alzheimer’s disease—and is characterized by an impaired ability to remember, think and make decisions.

Dementia risk is determined by a variety of genetic and environmental factors, many of which we are only just beginning to understand. One of the many external factors which appear to influence our risk of neurodegeneration is diet.

Among healthy dietary patterns, the Mediterranean diet repeatedly demonstrates improvements in mental and physical performance, with several studies suggesting that adherence to this diet can delay or even prevent dementia.

The Mediterranean eating pattern is characterized by a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes
and olive oil, with a moderate intake of cheese and fish and a limited intake of red and processed meat. However,
studies into the efficacy of this diet and dementia prevention have yielded inconsistent results.

To assess the existing data on this association, researchers from the University of Milan in Italy pooled data
from 21 independent studies covering a total of 65,955 participants over the age of 60. Their results were published
in the journal Aging Clinical and Experimental Research on March 22.

Strict adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with an 11 percent reduction in all dementias among older
adults. The association was even stronger when only Alzheimer’s disease was considered, with strict adherence
to a Mediterranean diet being associated with a 27 percent reduced risk of Alzheimer’s.

The researchers highlight that as the global population continues to rise, dietary changes could deliver significant
savings in terms of both healthcare costs and quality of life.

“Despite the apparently small protective effect, it should be borne in mind that dementia is a frequently diagnosed
disease, especially in the elderly,” they write. “Furthermore, it is important to consider that the world’s
population is undergoing a progressive aging process, wherein the elderly constitute a significant proportion
of the population.

It is important to note that these studies were purely observational, and more work needs to be done to elucidate
any potential biochemical mechanisms underpinning this association. However, the researchers have suggested that
reductions in inflammation associated with adherence to a Mediterranean diet could be responsible for these effects.

“Cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, obesity (mainly abdominal obesity), dyslipidaemia, and type
2 diabetes are considered to have a significant impact on the risk of dementia,” the researchers write. “These
factors are indeed associated with chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunctions such as insulin resistance
and consequent hyperinsulinemia that could be detrimental to the brain.

“Findings from several studies have shown that a high adherence to the MedDiet can lead to a reduction in several
biomarkers of inflammation known to be implicated in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

“The role of the Mediterranean diet in reducing chronic inflammation seems to be mediated by the anti-oxidant
and anti-inflammatory action of the numerous bioactive compounds such as vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and
essential fatty acids, provided by foods typically consumed as part of this dietary pattern.”

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