One in nine people are now believed to have Alzheimer’s disease. With no known effective cure and a number of complications that greatly reduce quality of life, there is a real need to understand what causes the disease so that its impact can be reduced.
The most widely accepted theory is that Alzheimer’s is triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It has been suggested that nutritional imbalances may also play a role in the disease’s development. In particular, research indicates that eating certain foods may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The question now is whether or not altering one’s diet can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Since there is no known ‘cure’ for the disease, the best approach might be to reduce its impact and progression as much as possible. For this reason, it is important to be aware of any food habits that put you at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Some research suggests that consuming certain foods may increase the risk of the disease. However, other studies have shown that nutritional changes may help to protect against Alzheimer’s in some individuals. This article will discuss whether or not altering your diet can cause Alzheimer’s.
Alcohol And Alzheimer’s
Alcohol is known to be related to a number of serious health problems, especially when consumed in excess. While there is no direct connection between alcohol and Alzheimer’s disease, there is some evidence that suggests that it may increase your risk of developing the disease.
A study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry suggests that alcohol may ‘tip the balance’ of a chemical in your brain’s nerve cells that is responsible for producing the protein amyloid-beta. This chemical is known as amyloid precursor protein, or APP for short. Amyloid-beta is one of the main components of the brain’s plaques, which are seen in the area of Alzheimer’s disease known as the cerebral cortex. When ingested in large amounts, alcohol has been shown to increase amyloid-beta production in both mice and humans. And while alcohol is known to have several potential health benefits, it is also likely that amyloid-beta plays a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease in some people. This suggests that drinking may put you at increased risk of developing the disease.
Eggs And Alzheimer’s
Eggs are a high-quality source of dietary protein, vitamins, and minerals. They are also a good source of choline, which aids in the synthesis of neurotransmitters (hormones) such as acetylcholine and dopamine. These chemicals are responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. As mentioned above, Alzheimer’s disease is associated with low levels of acetylcholine and dopamine, which makes eggs a potentially beneficial food for people with the disease.
A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in 2012 suggested that consuming egg products, such as eggs or egg yolks, can help to protect against Alzheimer’s. This is because the protein in eggs, called avidin, has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier and bind to receptors on the surface of brain cells. These receptors are found in large numbers on nerve cells in the area of the hippocampus, which is known to be affected by Alzheimer’s. The protein avidin is not digested by the body, so it is passed onto the next meal. The receptors that avidin binds to are called J-protein targets, and researchers have found that they are also present on the surface of mitochondria, the ‘power house’ of cells.
In the study mentioned above, participants were either given a standard diet or a diet containing egg products. After two years, those individuals on the diet containing egg products showed significant improvements in their memory and thinking skills as well as a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers concluded that eating egg products, especially eggs or egg yolks, may help to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. However, they also cautioned that more research is needed to determine the exact mechanism of how eggs help to prevent or reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s in humans.
Meat And Alzheimer’s
Red meat is a great source of nutrients, including iron, vitamin B12, and zinc. It is also a good source of saturated fats and cholesterol. While there is no immediate connection between meat and Alzheimer’s disease, there is some evidence that suggests that eating too much of it may increase the risk of developing the disease.
A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in 2014 suggested that eating a diet high in meat may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. And while there are several reasons why this might be, one of the most likely causes is that processed meat is usually found in supermarkets near the ‘meat counter’ and is high in saturated fats and cholesterol. These are nutrients that scientists have associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, studies have shown that saturated fats and cholesterol may clog up the tiny blood vessels in your brain, preventing nutrients from reaching your neurons. The end result may be slower brain functioning and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
On the other hand, there is some evidence that suggests that a diet low in meat might reduce your risk of developing the disease. A study published in 2016 in the journal Neurology examined the diets of close to 10,000 individuals and found that those who ate the least amount of red meat had a significantly reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who ate the most. In that study, participants reported how often they ate various types of meat, including beef, pork, chicken, and fish. The researchers also inquired about what type of meat the participants preferred and how much of it they ate. Those who preferred fish had a lower risk of Alzheimer’s compared to those who preferred red meat. And, on the other end of the spectrum, those who ate the most red meat had a higher risk of Alzheimer’s compared to those who ate the least.
Dairy And Alzheimer’s
Dairy is another nutrient-rich food that is good for your health. It provides your body with essential vitamins and minerals that are required for good health. However, like most other nutritional factors, there is some evidence that suggests that eating too much dairy may increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, saturated fats and casein, which are two of the main components of dairy products, have been associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Saturated fats are, in fact, a type of ‘fatty acid’ that is abundant in animal products, such as dairy and red meat. It has been suggested that these fats may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease development because they easily cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain in large amounts. Scientists theorize that these fats may inhibit the growth of nerve cells in the brain, causing problems with memory and cognition in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Casein is another protein that is commonly found in dairy. Like many other proteins, it readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and accumulates in the brain, especially near the hippocampus, which is the area of the brain associated with memory and learning. Like saturated fats, casein has also been associated with Alzheimer’s disease because it readily accumulates in the brain and may play a role in inhibiting the growth of nerve cells in the area of the hippocampus.
Does Altering Your Diet Cause Alzheimer’s?
Based on the research discussed above, it is clear that dietary factors, such as the food you eat and how you cook it, can play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Some studies suggest that certain foods may increase your risk of developing the disease, while others have shown that the diet of people with Alzheimer’s may be more suitable for preventing the disease. This article will discuss the various nutritional factors that scientists believe may increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and how you can alter your diet to reduce that risk.
Reduce The Risk With A Well-Balanced Diet
Since Alzheimer’s disease is a multifactorial disease, meaning that it is triggered by a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors, it may be beneficial to attempt to reduce your risk of developing the disease by making changes to your diet and lifestyle. So long as you do not pose a danger to yourself or others, there is no reason why you should not try and improve your diet as much as possible. This means that you should aim to reduce your daily calorie intake without depriving yourself of essential nutrients.
While you should not be over-zealous about altering your diet and should also maintain a normal life-style, there are ways in which you can make healthier food choices without harming your body’s natural balance. For example, instead of consuming deep fried foods, which are high in calories, you can have baked or grilled meats instead. In the case of dairy foods, you can have lower-fat options or non-dairy substitutes so as to not harm your cholesterol levels.