WHAT DIETARY FACTORS CAN SLOW DOWN THE IMPACT OF ALZHEIMER’S?
Studies have revealed that age-related brain diseases which cause cognitive impairment can be associated with aberrant protein deposits, for example, the beta-amyloid plaques. According to a recent study, following the “MIND” diet, which is a brain-health diet, can help people with Alzheimer’s disease slow down their cognitive deterioration. The researchers discovered that the link between following the MIND diet and improved cognitive health was independent of brain pathology levels.
The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) and the Mediterranean diet, according to certain research, can improve cognitive performance. The two diets have been blended based on these studies to develop a hybrid “MIND” diet that is specifically designed to boost brain health. The MIND diet emphasises leafy green vegetables, other vegetables, berries, legumes, fish, nuts, and whole grains while minimising butter, cheese, and red meat consumption. More details about MIND diet here.
It’s worth mentioning that despite the fact that various brain illnesses are linked to cognitive impairment, some people with brain pathologies have a normal cognitive function.
According to Dr. Klodian Dhana, Assistant Professor at Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Rush Medical College (Medical News Today. ‘MIND’ diet may slow cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s. [Accessed 21st October 2021]
“We found that a higher MIND diet score was associated with better cognitive function independently of Alzheimer’s disease pathology and other common age-related brain pathologies, suggesting that adherence to the MIND diet may build cognitive resilience in older adults.”
Furthermore, according to studies, people who adhere to a Mediterranean diet are less likely to get Alzheimer’s disease than those who do not. According to research, there are 3 major benefits demonstrating that the Mediterranean diet is in fact a brain diet.
First of all, the Mediterranean diet may decline the gradual deterioration in cognitive abilities for older ages. Secondly, it reduces the chances of developing moderate cognitive impairment (MCI), which is a stage between normal aging and the more significant memory impairments caused by dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, it reduces the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease if you suffer from MCI.
However, it is difficult to establish what exactly explains the link between a Mediterranean diet and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease at this time. According to several studies, people who consume modest amounts of seafood had fewer Alzheimer’s-related alterations in their brains than those who carry the apolipoprotein E (APOE e4) gene, which is known to enhance Alzheimer’s risk.
References
www.medicalnewstoday.com. (2021). Alzheimer’s: “MIND” diet may protect against cognitive decline. [online] Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/mind-diet-may-slow-cognitive-decline-in-people-with-alzheimers#The-MIND-diet-and-cognitive-function [Accessed 21 Oct. 2021].
Morris, M.C., Tangney, C.C., Wang, Y., Sacks, F.M., Barnes, L.L., Bennett, D.A. and Aggarwal, N.T. (2015). MIND diet slows cognitive decline with aging. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, [online] 11(9), pp.1015–1022. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1552526015001946.
Graff-Radford, J. (2019). Can a Mediterranean diet lower the risk of Alzheimer’s. [online] Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/expert-answers/alzheimers-disease/faq-20058062.
