Alzheimer's disease as well as other chronic diseases are significantly influenced by diet, exercise, stress management and other life style behaviors. Though current research has not reported a direct link between dietary choices and prevention of dementia, a brain healthy diet contributes significantly to the resilience brain and the rest of the body to the effects of aging and disease.
Growing body of evidence implicates free radical toxicity, radical induced mutations and oxidative enzyme impairment and mitochondrial dysfunction due to congenital genetic defects in clinical manifestations of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Accumulation of oxidative damage in neurons either primarily or secondarily may account for the increased incidence of neurodegenerative disorders such as AD, ALS and stroke in elderly populations. The molecular mechanisms of neuronal degeneration remain largely unknown and effective therapies are not currently available. Recent interest has focused on antioxidants such as carotenoids and in particular lycopene. (Rao et al. Nutr Neurosci. 2002 Oct;5(5):291-309. The following lists gives a list of suggested sources of beneficial foods.
ANTIOXIDANTS:
Fruits and vegetables: Prunes. beets. raisins, most berries, spinach, brussels sprouts, plums, broccoli, beets, oranges
Tea: especially green and white teas
LYCOPENE:
Several studies have noted that low levels of lycopene has been associated with lower levels of intellectual functioning. A popular sources of lycopene are tomatoes and tomato products.
TUMERIC
Inflammation in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients is characterized by increased cytokines and activated microglia. Epidemiological studies suggest reduced AD risk associates with long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). But excessive use of NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal, liver, and renal toxicity. One alternative NSAID is curcumin, derived from the curry spice turmeric. Tumeric is a spice sold alone and found in curry powder and mustard. Curcumin has an extensive history as a food additive and herbal medicine in India and is also a potent polyphenolic antioxidant. Animal studies suggest that tumeric can reduce oxidative damage and amyloid pathology in an Alzheimer's disease. (Lim GP et al. J Neurosci. 2001 Nov 1;21(21):8370-7.
PHOSPHATIDYLESERINE
Phosphatidyleserine is a nutrient found in fish, green leafy vegetables, soy and rice and is an essential element in the normal functioning of the brain cell membrane.
DIETARY FATS
Current research suggests that eating a low fat diet and eating more polyunsaturated fats may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Omega 3 fatty acids (found in canola oil, olive oil, sardines, trout, salmon, herring, walnuts, avocados and brazil nuts) may be helpful slowing the process of aging in the brain. (Morris MC et al. Arch Neurol. 2003 Jul;60(7):940-6)