Relationships between dietary balance and Alzheimer's disease
Published 21 October 2009
Prof Gandy and colleagues compared the effect of four different diets on brains in mice that are genetically altered so they develop changes in their brain which are like Alzheimer's disease in people
Surprisingly, a combination of high protein, low carbohydrate, standard fat diet resulted in smaller brain sizes. However, as there were no normal control mice included in the study, it is difficult to interpret these results as the same might or might not happen in normal mice. A high fat diet seemed to change the amount of an intermediary compound in the process that leads to amyloid plaques.
Alzheimer's Society comment:
'This study is very interesting but without a control group it is hard to tell if these changes would not have occurred anyway. Further investigation is now needed to better understand whether the way we balance our diet can increase or reduce our vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease.
'It is important to eat a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and fish. People who want to reduce their risk of dementia should also take regular exercise, refrain from smoking and get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked.'
Dr Susanne Sorensen
Head of Research
Alzheimer's Society
