{"id":49834,"date":"2022-03-16T09:30:05","date_gmt":"2022-03-16T13:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=49834"},"modified":"2025-05-29T09:23:30","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T13:23:30","slug":"alzheimers-diet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/alzheimers-diet\/","title":{"rendered":"The best diet for Alzheimer\u2019s prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nearly 7 million Americans<\/span> are living with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. This condition affects areas of the brain responsible for thought, memory, and language, worsening over time. At first, Alzheimer\u2019s may exhibit as minor memory loss, but as the disease advances having a simple conversation or engaging in normal day-to-day activities can be difficult. The good news is that eating the right foods can help to prevent or slow down progression of Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Alzheimer\u2019s linked to diet?<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to research, Alzheimer’s disease is strongly linked to inflammation throughout the body. Consuming an inflammatory diet\u2014one that\u2019s full of fried foods, refined starches, sugars, saturated or trans fats, and red or processed meats\u2014may increase your chances of developing the disease as well as many other serious health conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the flip side, eating certain foods may decrease your risk of cognitive decline, <\/span>according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 National Institute on Aging<\/span>. <\/span>One study<\/span> found that eating a Mediterranean diet consisting of foods like salad dressing, nuts, fish, tomatoes, poultry, cruciferous vegetables, fruits, and dark and green leafy vegetables may decrease a person\u2019s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. (As long as you also limit high-fat dairy, red meat, organ meat, and butter.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although diet can be protective against Alzheimer\u2019s, it cannot reverse the disease, says\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kristian Morey, RD, LDN<\/span><\/a>, a clinical dietitian with the Nutrition and Diabetes Education program at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, a <\/span>Temple University School of Medicine<\/span><\/a> study of mice showed that switching to a healthier diet reversed the cognitive impairment that was associated with their previous diet. \u201cWhile this cannot be considered a therapy or cure, it may demonstrate that dietary changes can improve some cognitive impairment,\u201d Morey says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the best Alzheimer\u2019s diet?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A<\/span> growing body of evidence<\/span><\/a> suggests that a\u00a0 Mediterranean diet may protect against cognitive decline and dementia. \u201cTo date, several studies have shown that individual nutrient characteristics of the Mediterranean diet reduce oxidative stress biomarkers and positively affect cognition,\u201d says <\/span>Reyzan Shali, MD<\/span><\/a>, a primary care physician board-certified in internal medicine practicing in San Diego, California.<\/span><\/p>\n

A typical aging brain displays signs of cell atrophy, which are most likely related to three main mechanisms: a decrease in cerebral blood flow and oxygen supply, mitochondrial dysfunction (caused by oxidative stress), and increased inflammation, Dr. Shali explains. The Mediterranean diet works on all three of these mechanisms. To prevent cell atrophy in your brain, consider including Mediterranean diet foods into your routine,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mediterranean diet limits red meat, eggs, and sugar, and focuses on the following:<\/span><\/p>\n