Genetic Risk of Alzheimer's Disease: Can a Mediterranean Diet Provide Counteraction?
A new study has found that following a Mediterranean diet may help lower a person's risk of developing dementia and slow cognitive decline. The research, which was conducted over several decades, analysed the medical data from over 4,000 adult women and nearly 1,500 men.
The study, led by Dong D. Wang, MD, ScD, found that participants who followed a more Mediterranean-style diet had a lower risk of developing dementia and a slower rate of cognitive decline. Notably, the protective effect of the Mediterranean diet was strongest in high-risk participants with two copies of the APOE4 gene variant, a specific genetic variant that has been identified as increasing a person's risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, a nutrition expert, suggested that meals don't need to be complicated to follow a Mediterranean-style dietary plan. Richard offered tips such as swapping butter for cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, adding nuts instead of chips, and enjoying fatty fish like salmon twice a week. She also suggested experimenting with herbs and spices like rosemary, oregano, and turmeric to add flavor and brain-supportive compounds to meals.
Dong D. Wang, MD, ScD, emphasised the importance of understanding the interaction between diet and genetics. He stated that lifestyle factors such as diet can offer a way to lower risk and possibly delay disease onset, even for those at higher genetic risk.
Megan Glenn, PsyD, another researcher involved in the study, commented that this study contributes to the growing literature base on how modifiable lifestyle factors can help mitigate the risk of dementia. She also emphasised that diet becomes a tool for people at high genetic risk to actively fight against developing Alzheimer's disease. By the time someone is showing Alzheimer's-related symptoms, the disease has already been present and progressing in the brain for decades, Glenn explained.
The most effective interaction between nutrition and genetics regarding Alzheimer's and aging dementias centers on individuals carrying the ApoE4 gene variant, according to the study. A healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, combined with physical activity and cardiovascular care, can significantly reduce Alzheimer's risk independent of genetic predisposition, particularly for those with two copies of the ApoE4 gene.
Approximately 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia, making it a significant public health concern. As current medications offer only modest benefits, prevention is our best tool right now for Alzheimer's disease. Understanding the role of diet in the prevention and management of dementia is an important step towards finding effective strategies for reducing the global burden of this disease.
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