diet programs -what is the relationship between diet and Alzheimer disease?

I am sure you are aware of the fact that diet programs little in life is as scary as the idea of forgetting our loved ones, our histories, and ourselves. Yet that is exactly what is happening to more than 5 million people in North America suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Mild forgetfulness in the early years of the disease slowly expands to include serious problems with memory, language and abstract reasoning until eventually the brain disorder robs its victims of the ability to function.

Despite extensive research, both cause and cure of Alzheimer’s disease remain elusive. Experts theorize that a complicated combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors result in cognitive decline, though they are still working on exactly how it happens and what can be done to prevent it.

One logical area of exploration is diet. While there have been no definite breakthrough yet, there are certain foods that are being carefully studied for their specific relationship to Alzheimer’s. A few studies found a correlation between high dietary fish with omega 3 fatty acid intake and a decrease in developing Alzheimer’s.

However, more studies must be conducted before any conclusions can be drawn. High levels of homo cysteine, an amino acid in the blood, have been associated with the risk of dementia. One avenue being examined is whether increasing intake of foliate and vitamins B6 and B12, which break down 

homo cysteine, can really help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Again neither vitamin B6 nor B12 supplementation has really been proven effective, however data from one study has found a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s for individuals with the highest foliate intake.

Another possible theory in the development of Alzheimer’s disease involves free radicals destroying the integrity of the body cells. These unstable molecules have the potential to cause cell aging and damage, which could be one piece of the Alzheimer’s puzzle.

Now you can reduce your exposure to free radicals by limiting contact with the sun, environmental pollutants, and cigarette smoke. However, free radicals are a byproduct of metabolism which occurs every minute of the day.

Since it’s impossible to completely eliminate free radicals so eating foods with antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, beta carotene and falconoid can really help. Foods high in antioxidants include berries, dark green and orange vegetables, nuts and beans.

Specifically, studies have shown rats and mice bred to develop Alzheimer’s disease had improved mental function after being fed blueberries, strawberries and cranberries. Green tea is also high in antioxidants, and although it hasn’t been proven specifically to prevent Alzheimer’s, it has been shown that drinking five cups a day can reduce ones risk of heart disease. Now if you want to understand the diet programs relationship between diet and Alzheimer disease then please click here.