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The diet that can decrease your risk of Alzheimer’s disease

In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear in their mid-60s. The irreversible, progressive brain disorder slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out simple tasks.

These first symptoms vary from person to person; but for many, a decline in memory and certain aspects of cognition, like word-finding, vision issues, and impaired reasoning or judgment, may be the first stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

What causes Alzheimer’s?


In some cases of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, there’s a genetic component. As for late-onset Alzheimer’s, it develops from a complex series of brain changes that happen over time. Other causes include a combination of environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors..

Food fighters 


Recent studies have identified specific foods that could play a role in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease..

The MIND diet


Researchers from Rush University in Chicago have combined elements from both the Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets to create the Mediterranean-Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet.

A Mediterranean diet is usually high in healthy fats, Omega-3s and wholegrains, and has been shown to lower the risk of cancer and heart disease.

The DASH diet


This diet focuses on fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy and has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack, hypertension and stroke.

Researchers evaluated over 900 seniors who were participating in the Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP) that studied the ageing process.

They assessed the nutritional information of seniors who were already following basic MIND diet principles as well as those who ate a Mediterranean diet and/or a DASH diet. They tracked the incidences of Alzheimer’s of those seniors over a five-year period. They found that those who followed the MIND diet reduced their risk of developing Alzheimer’s by as much as 53%. Even when this diet wasn’t followed rigorously it was still able to reduce the risk of the disease by 35%.

However, there are also therapeutic interventions that can make it easier for people to live with the disease.

Elements of the MIND diet


In Alzheimer’s disease, inflammation and insulin resistance injure neurons and hinder communication between brain cells. Research suggests a strong link between metabolic disorders and the signal processing systems. So, by adjusting your daily eating habits you’re able to reduce inflammation and protect your brain.

The MIND diet consists of 15 elements: 10 brain-healthy food groups and 5 unhealthy groups.

The 10 brain-healthy food groups:

  • Beans.
  • Berries.
  • Fish.
  • Green leafy vegetables.
  • Nuts.
  • Poultry.
  • Olive oil.
  • Other vegetables.
  • Wholegrains.
  • Wine.

The 5 unhealthy food groups include:

  • Butter and stick margarine.
  • Cheese.
  • Fast or fried foods.
  • Pastries and sweets.
  • Red meats.

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