Mediterranean Diet & Alzeimer’s Disease
July 05, 2007
It's Alzheimer's Awareness week. More than 26 million people worldwide are living with this disease and the numbers continue to increase. Dr. Mom has a report on why this is the case, as well as some advice on how to keep your brain strong.
Scientists estimate that approximately 4.5 million older Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. A study involving 2,258 people in New York City was conducted by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center. The study included gathering medical and neurological history as well as performing physical and neurological exams on the participants. The researchers also obtained dietary information from the participants. At completion of this 4 year study, researchers concluded that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduction in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Dementia occurs in people with Alzheimer’s disease because healthy brain tissue degenerates causing a decline in memory and mental abilities.
What is the Mediterranean Diet?
The Mediterranean diet incorporates the basics of healthy eating.
- Dark skinned vegetables such as kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, beets, red bell pepper, onion, corn and eggplant
- Fruits such as prunes, raisins, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, oranges, red grapes, and cherries
- Healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil
- Fish - halibut, mackerel, salmon, trout, and tuna
- Whole grains
- Red wine (no more than 5 ounces a day) or red grape juice
- Very little red meat
- Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and pecans
As you can see, the components of the Mediterranean diet is something you may have heard or read about to help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. However, a healthy vascular system may also help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Helpful websites:- Alzeimer’s Association
- NIH: Alzeimer’s Disease
- Mediterranean Diet Lowered Alzheimer’s Risk
- Diet May Influence Alzheimer’s Risk
- What is the "Mediterranean" diet?
- The Mediterranean Diet: Can it Reduce Your Risk for Heart Disease?
- The Mediterranean Food and Diet
- Mediterranean diet for heart health
- Alzeimer’s Society: Dementia Care and Research