Study: Mediterranean Diet Reduces Risk of Alzheimer's Disease

Based on the article “Mediterranean diet reduces risk of Alzheimer's disease, study concludes” on wikinews.org

Edited (with Introduction) by Dr. Don Rose, Writer, Life Alert

--

Given the positive results discussed in our article on how a Mediterranean diet benefits rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, it was not surprising to learn that this same diet also reduces risk for another disease. The article below discusses the benefits related to Alzheimer's disease -- an affliction that can manifest in any adult, but is especially prevalent among senior citizens. –Don Rose
--

Overview
U.S. scientists analyzed the health and eating patterns of 2,258 study participants and found a link between a Mediterranean diet (MD) and a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia.

Details
Participants were scored on their use of fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals and fish (which were considered beneficial in this study), as well as dairy products and meat (which were considered detrimental to the subjects’ health). Moderate fat and alcohol intake was also considered part of a typical MD. Potential statistical confounders ("hidden" variables that might affect or distort results) -- such as age, sex, ethnicity, education, Apo E genotype, caloric intake and body mass index -- were taken into account.

Conclusion
"This large study in a leading journal adds to the growing weight of evidence that diet and lifestyle are very important risk factors for Alzheimer's disease" was the reaction of Professor Clive Ballard of the Alzheimer's Society.

• Rob Stein, "Mediterranean diet could limit Alzheimer's". The Washington Post, October 14, 2006.

• "Med diet 'reduces dementia risk'". BBC News Online, April 17, 2006.

• Scarmeas N, Stern Y, Tang MX, Mayeux R, Luchsinger JA. Mediterranean diet and risk for Alzheimer's disease. Ann Neurol, 2006; 59 (6): 912-21. PubMed.

The information provided here is, to the best of our knowledge, reliable and accurate. However, while Life Alert always strives to provide true, precise and consistent information, we cannot guarantee 100 percent accuracy. Readers are encouraged to review the original article, and use any resource links provided to gather more information before drawing conclusions and making decisions.

The article on this Life Alert website and the content it is based on are covered by a Creative Commons License. Please go to the Creative Commons License site for more information on the CC license that applies to this work.

Dr. Don Rose writes books, papers and articles on computers, the Internet, AI, science and technology, and issues related to seniors.

For more information about Life Alert and its many services and benefits for seniors – available in New York, California, Florida, and other states nationwide -- please visit the following websites:
http://www.lifealert.com
http://www.seniorprotection.com
http://www.911seniors.com