Health and Fitness Journal

Alzheimer’s is a debilitating disease that significantly affects the daily lives of those who suffer from it. Not only that, but it can cause rifts and problems in families. As you can imagine, scientists are eager to get to the root of the Alzheimer’s disease problem, and figure out once and for all what causes it, and what we can do to prevent it. Interestingly, it seems that diet and eating habits play a role in staving off the disease.

Doctors have know for a long time that people who eat a Mediterranean diet have lower risks for strokes and heart disease, but now, a new study conducted by the Columbia University Medical Center suggests that the same diet also appears to reduce the risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. While the “Mediterranean” diet varies from country to country within the region, the diets in this region tend to be high in bread, pasta, cereals, fish, potatoes, fruits, legumes, nuts and unsaturated fats (eg. olive oil). Red wine is also consumed in moderation, and saturated fats, such as meat and dairy products, are also limited.

Those who stuck moderately to a Mediterranean diet were shown to have a 53% reduction in risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, while those who followed the diet strictly had a 68% reduction in their risk of developing the disease.

Another study which was conducted by researchers in Sweden revealed that patients with a mild form of Alzheimer’s who were taking supplements that contained two Omega-3 fatty acids noticed some improvement. The supplements also appear to have helped slow the progession of the disease.