Alzheimer’s is a progressive and fatal brain disease that causes memory loss and problems with thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. As many as 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease making it the most common form of dementia and the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States. With so many affected, I wanted to share some promising research on the impact a healthy diet may have on this tragic disease.
Previous research has linked a diet rich in methionine with an increased risk in developing Alzheimer’s disease. Methionine is an essential amino acid found in foods such as red meat, dairy, eggs and fish. Because these foods are typically such a big part of the American diet, researchers wanted to investigate further to see if making dietary changes could actually reverse the effects of the disease.
According to a recent Temple University study, patients in the early to moderate stages of Alzheimer’s Disease could have their cognitive impairment slowed or even reversed by switching to a healthier diet. Mice were divided into 3 groups for the study. The first were fed a diet high in methionine, the second were fed a diet high in methionine and then switched to a healthy diet, and the third were kept on a regular, healthy diet.
The results showed the group that switched to a healthy diet reversed cognitive impairment that built up when they were eating a high methionine diet. According to researchers, even if you are already suffering from the early effects of Alzheimer’s, it isn’t too late to make lifestyle changes that may improve your memory and cognitive ability.
Healthy foods that appear to fight Alzheimer’s disease are salad dressing, nuts, tomatoes, chicken, fruits, cruciferous and dark green vegetables and sources of omega-3. Regular physical and mental exercises also appear to reduce the effects of the disease.
–Nicole Gould, RD LD
