Brain Health Research Update: Study Shows Improvements, Even In Your 70’s

Friends,

Have you noticed the recent change in our understanding of cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?  Not long ago it was widely understood that Alzheimer’s disease cannot be prevented or slowed; but this isn’t true, and today an altogether different story is unfolding.  This new story is more hopeful; and, it’s being written by the research activities and findings from health scientists around the globe.  We now know that at least half of the cases of Alzheimer’s disease can be attributable to lifestyle factors, and most of these lifestyle factors can be modified.  In this blog and in the coming months I’d like to tell you the chapters in this unfolding story by sharing with you the exciting research findings from around the world.

The Mediterranean diet is a way of eating that includes less meat than the standard American diet, more fish, more fruits and vegetables, less white flour, and more nuts and olive oil.  Those who eat this way have half the risk of a variety of chronic illnesses than their counterparts who do not eat this way.  While we don’t fully understand why eating this way is so beneficial, it is thought that it is due in part to foods that are not prone to cause inflammation.  Studies are being conducted world-wide to better understand this diet and its effect on our health.

 

One such study was recently completed in Spain, called the PREDIMED Study  (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea or Prevention with the Mediterranean Diet). Close to 500 cognitively-healthy participants, with an average age of 67, were randomly assigned to eat a Mediterranean diet or a low-fat diet.  They ate in this manner for five years.  This type of study is called a randomized clinical trial.

The participants underwent cognitive testing to measure cognitive function in the beginning and end of the study.  Those eating the Mediterranean diet showed improved cognitive function five years later.  The group eating a low fat diet experienced cognitive decline.  What I compelling is that the Mediterranean diet not only prevented cognitive decline, but it improved cognitive function, in people in their 70s!

At the NorthShore Center for Brain Health, we recommend all our patients follow this wonderful diet, which can be tailored to you and your family based on your health and preferences.

Until next month,

Demetrius “Jim” Maraganore