Can Your Diet Prevent Alzheimer's Disease?
It looks more and more like the answer to that question is a resounding yes. Previous studies show that the healthy omega-3 essential fatty acids found in fish, flax and canola oil may prevent or slow down the progression of Alzheimer's Disease. The spice turmeric also shows promise in the fight against Alzheimer's Disease. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and green leafy vegetables may also be important. Women who eat the vegetables also show better mental acuity when compared to women who don't eat these tasty vegetables.
A recent Alzheimer's Disease study directed by Mount Sinai School of Medicine suggests that experimental dietary regimens might calm or even reverse symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease. The study is the first to show that restricting caloric intake, specifically carbohydrates, may prevent Alzheimer's Disease by triggering activity in the brain associated with longevity.
Reduced calorie diets have been connected to longevity in the past and of course being overweight or obese is strongly correlated with chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases, some cancers and diabetes. I think that the idea of living a long, healthy and productive life is a very good reason for wanting to eat healthy foods in the right amounts. The next time you look up at the menu board at your favorite restaurant, think about what that 1500 calorie Whopper meal is going to do to your brain and body down the road and go get a healthy salad instead.
Poll: Do you eat healthy foods to prevent disease?
Comments
I am on a low carb diet which assists me in maintaining my ideal weight. Two problems with this diet are that the restriction on carbs essentially rules out almost all vegetables and it tends to be high in calories. Therefore regarding Alzheimers it seems that this diet has a positive effect as it restricts carbohydrates, but a negative effect as it tends to be higher caloric (at least for me) and limits vegetables. I use vitamin and mineral supplements, but I realize this is no replacement for a health diet. I guess in maintaining your weight and eating healthy with a low card diet; “you can’t have you cake and eat it too”.
My mother was the daughter of a country doctor and learned to eat the cocrrect way. she died at 94 with alzheimers. it might work for some people but not with her.