Diet and Alzheimer’s Prevention

Many studies have suggested our diets can have a role in our brain’s ability to think and remember. Further research into this subject has revealed associations between a healthy diet and cognitive benefits, although not as much as for things like physical activity, maintaining low blood pressure, and cognitive training. But, since we cannot control genetic factors, but we can control things like our diet and activity, even a small benefit is better than no benefit. Read on to find out how your diet can maximize your brain health.

Changes in the brain that lead to Alzheimer’s occur long before any symptoms, giving us a window of time in which to delay, or even prevent, the onset. While the exact mechanism by which diet lowers chances of Alzheimer’s development is unknown, there has been a link established between certain types of diets and lowered risks of the disease.

One diet that shows a lot of promise is the so-called Mediterranean diet, which mimics the foods and nutrition common to that region of the world. It emphasizes fruits, vegetables, fish and other seafood, legumes, and unsaturated fats like olive oil, coupled with small amounts of red meat, eggs, or sweets.

A variation of the Mediterranean diet has been developed specifically for mental health, and it combines the above diet with foods proven to lower hypertension, as high blood pressure is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s.

Researchers continue to look for definite answers and solid evidence, but in the meantime, discussing the possible benefits of a Mediterranean diet with your doctor or nutritionist can help you find out if it is right for you to help keep your mind healthy.