21 April 2010
Food combination associated with lower Alzheimer's risk
New research from the USA has suggested that eating a diet rich in nuts, fish and vegetables and low in red meat and butter, is linked to a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
A total of 2,148 retirement-age adults (65 and older) took part in a study to identify which food combinations are associated with Alzheimer's disease risk. Over an average follow-up period of almost four years, the participants shared information about their diets and were assessed for dementia every 18 months. Dementia is the term used to describe a number of conditions that cause a deterioration of brain function, which usually result in memory loss, reduced language skills and behavioural and emotional problems. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in adults.
The researchers identified seven different dietary patterns. Each diet had varying levels of nutrients known to be associated with Alzheimer's disease risk - these include: saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin B12 and folate.
Overall, 253 people in the group developed Alzheimer's disease. One dietary pattern in particular was more closely associated with a reduced Alzheimer's disease risk than the others. This pattern contained food combinations rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E and folate but low in saturated fat and vitamin B12. People who ate diets high in nuts, fish, tomatoes, poultry, fruit, dark and green leafy vegetables and salad dressing, but low in red meat and butter were less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.
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Dr Annabel Bentley, Assistant Medical Director, Bupa |
Dementia may take years to develop, but this study only looked at people over a four year period, and this is a serious limitation of the research. 
The association with the diet pattern remained the same even after they took into account other Alzheimer's disease risk factors such as alcohol consumption and smoking.
This research is the first of its kind to look at the link between Alzheimer's disease and a combination of nutrients in the diet, rather than just a single food. Studying dietary patterns in this way may be able to shed light on which food combinations can help reduce Alzheimer's disease risk.
Commenting on the study, Bupa's Assistant Medical Director, Dr Annabel Bentley said: "This study gives us some interesting pointers to different foods, such as fish, nuts, chicken and tomatoes, which make up a healthy and varied diet. Unfortunately, the research has not found conclusive proof of a diet that will prevent Alzheimer's disease. Exactly how and why Alzheimer's dementia develops is not known. Dementia may take years to develop, but this study only looked at people over a four year period, and this is a serious limitation of the research."
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Related information
- Alzheimer's disease - health factsheet
- Healthy eating - health factsheet
- Wonder shake cure for Alzheimer's disease? - health news
Read the study
Yian Gu, Jeri W. Nieves, Yaakov Stern et al. Food Combination and Alzheimer Disease Risk. Archives of Neurology, 2010; 67(6) doi: 10.1001/archneurol.2010.84
