Dietary and lifestyle guidelines for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease

Risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is increased by older age, genetic factors, and several medical risk factors. Studies have also suggested that dietary and lifestyle factors may influence risk, raising the possibility that preventive strategies may be effective. This body of research is incomplete. However, because the most scientifically supported lifestyle factors for Alzheimer’s disease are known factors for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, it is reasonable to provide preliminary guidance to help individuals who wish to reduce their risk. At the International Conference on Nutrition and the Brain, Washington, DC, July 19–20, 2013, speakers were asked to comment on possible guidelines for Alzheimer’s disease prevention, with an aim of developing a set of practical, albeit preliminary, steps to be recommended to members of the public. From this discussion, 7 guidelines emerged related to healthful diet and exercise habits.

1. Minimize your intake of saturated fats and trans fats. Saturated fat is found primarily in dairy products, meats, and certain oils (coconut and palm oils). Trans fats are found in many snack pastries and fried foods and are listed on labels as “partially hydrogenated oils.”

2. Vegetables, legumes (beans, peas, and lentils), fruits, and whole grains should replace meats and dairy products as primary staples of the diet.

3. Vitamin E should come from foods, rather than supplements. Healthful food sources of vitamin E include seeds, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and whole grains. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin E is 15 mg per day.

4. A reliable source of vitamin B12, such as fortified foods or a supplement providing at least the recommended daily allowance (2.4 μg per day for adults), should be part of your daily diet. Have your blood levels of vitamin B12 checked regularly as many factors, including age, may impair absorption.

5. If using multiple vitamins, choose those without iron and copper and consume iron supplements only when directed by your physician.

6. Although aluminum’s role in Alzheimer’s disease remains a matter of investigation, those who desire to minimize their exposure can avoid the use of cookware, antacids, baking powder, or other products that contain aluminum.

7. Include aerobic exercise in your routine, equivalent to 40 minutes of brisk walking 3 times per week.

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I thought the link with aluminium had been debunked.

Hasn’t it?

Aluminum’s role in Alzheimer’s disease remains controversial. Some researchers have called for caution, citing aluminum’s known neurotoxic potential when entering the body in more than modest amounts (Kawahara and Kato-Negishi, 2011) and the fact that aluminum has been demonstrated in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (Crapper et al., 1973 and Crapper et al., 1976). Studies in the United Kingdom and France found increased Alzheimer’s prevalence in areas where tap water contained higher aluminum concentrations (Martyn et al., 1989 and Rondeau et al., 2009). However, because of the limited number of relevant studies, most experts regard current evidence as insufficient to indict aluminum as a contributor to Alzheimer’s disease risk.

Because aluminum plays no role in human biology, it may be prudent to avoid aluminum exposure to the extent possible, although its role in cognitive disorders remains under investigation. Aluminum is found in some brands of baking powder, antacids, certain food products, and antiperspirants.

I thought so too…so I did some searching.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4131942/

There are some recent papers still looking at the links, but it’s a bit hard to pin down when the actual cause of dementia is unknown.

In maryborough hospital I got on well with a nurse and she used to take me for walks and we were hooked together with an oxymetre. There was a mad female dimentia patient who was between facilities. In the evenings she used to go ballistic at seeing us walking together and shouted out lots of foul crap. I was cool with it, the nurse was ok cos she knew what was going on brain wise but it is still an unnerving thing to encounter for the first time.

Pry on

I was reading about something called Alda1 last night. It is a molecule that repairs enzymes. Apparently this type of compound opens up a whole new area of drug research. This class of compound has potential to treat some diseases that are related to enzyme malfunctions. Amongst those is Alzheimer’s. Sounds promising. It has been recently revealed as a potential analgesic agent too (a more recent reference that I have now lost)

http://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2010/01/study-of-alcohol-reaction-may-revolutionize-drug-development.html

sibeen said:

I thought the link with aluminium had been debunked.

Hasn’t it?

I read something ages ago which suggested a link in changes within an Alzheimer’s brain to collecting aluminum as opposed to a poisoning per se.

Those lifestyle changes would probably prevent a lot of disease in older age, not specific to Alzheimer’s.

Divine Angel said:

Those lifestyle changes would probably prevent a lot of disease in older age, not specific to Alzheimer’s.

85% of all disease in the first world, according to an epidemiologist I was listening to recently.

You can suffer years of privation on the Gandhi diet or enjoy a jolly life on Bubblecar’s 3F diet.
Your choice Pilgrim.

I think someone took pity on Gandhi and gunned him down at 78 rather than see him suffer any more.

Better than 45 or 33 and a third I suppose

I thought those 1970’s studies that “found Al in the brain tissue” latter found that the stain used to view the slides was Al based…

they use aluminium sulphate in water treatment plants

no doubt some of it is still in the water at the tap

if the clarifying process isn’t working that well aluminium will escape into the treated water

Rule 303 said:

Divine Angel said:

Those lifestyle changes would probably prevent a lot of disease in older age, not specific to Alzheimer’s.

85% of all disease in the first world, according to an epidemiologist I was listening to recently.

replace meat and dairy with beans?

fk that

Dropbear said:

Rule 303 said:

Divine Angel said:

Those lifestyle changes would probably prevent a lot of disease in older age, not specific to Alzheimer’s.

85% of all disease in the first world, according to an epidemiologist I was listening to recently.

replace meat and dairy with beans?

fk that

+1