Mediterranean diet lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Following a Mediterranean-type diet lowers the risk of cardiac death and nonfatal heart attacks, as well as stroke and pulmonary embolism. More background on the diet is available here.

Now, a study published in the Annals of Neurology reports that “higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a reduction in risk for Alzheimer’s disease.”

Among more than 2000 nondemented individuals in New York who were followed for an average of 4 years to as long as 14 years, better adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The relationship held even after adjusting for other factors.

Ruth at The BioTech Weblog believes it might be due to the high levels of antioxidants in the Mediterranean diet.

Illustration: Neurofibrillary tangles and fiberlike processes of neurons (black) surround an amyloid plaque. Source: Chemical and Engineering News

8/1/06 00:21 JR