Mary Strieter, a senior citizen from Palm Beach County, loves bacon but has stopped eating it because she fears that eating the fatty, processed meat contributes to memory loss.
Strieter's mother suffered from Alzheimer's, and now that Strieter is over 70, she wants to maintain her own risk as little as possible.
“My doctor told me to eat healthy, and I do,” she said.
A Study published on Wednesday shows that Strieter is on the precise track together with her dietary awareness. Research presented on the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Philadelphia shows that eating just a few servings of processed beef, equivalent to bologna, hot dogs or bacon, each week increases the chance of dementia. More specifically, researchers found that eating about two servings of processed beef per week increased the chance of dementia by 14%, in comparison with individuals who eat fewer than three servings monthly.
The latest research examines how our weight-reduction plan affects the considering and memory abilities of the aging brain. The disease affects 580,000 Floridians age 65 and older, and greater than 6.7 million Americans. Its increasing prevalence has prompted further research into the chance aspects.
The study followed greater than 130,000 people for as much as 43 years and located that every additional serving of processed beef consumed day by day was related to a further 1.6 years of brain aging. Yuhan Li, the study's lead writer, said processed meat can affect the brain since it accommodates high levels of harmful substances equivalent to nitrites (preservatives) and sodium.
“The Alzheimer's Association has long recommended a healthier diet – including less highly processed foods – because it has been associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline,” said Heather M. Snyder, vp of medical and scientific relations for the Alzheimer's Association, in a prepared statement.
The study of processed meats complements previous research on nutrition and brain health that has linked weight-reduction plan to disease risk. The findings have led experts to recommend that seniors eat as much whole, fresh food as possible.
“It is important for people to know that there is no single food or ingredient that causes dementia or Alzheimer’s,” said Christian Camargoassociate professor of neurology and memory specialist on the University of Miami Health System. “There isn't a single food that can cure it either.”
Here are further findings on nutrition and Alzheimer’s risk:
Prepackaged and highly processed foods increase the chance
In 2022British researchers found that the chance of dementia increases by 25% when day by day consumption of ultra-processed foods increases by 10%. Examples of ultra-processed foods include packaged bread, crackers, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, sweetened yogurts, snack bars, ice cream and chips. The researchers studied 72,083 men and ladies who were 55 years or older. The participants kept detailed logs of what they ate and drank.
The researchers concluded: “Increasing the consumption of unprocessed or minimally processed foods by just 50 grams per day, equivalent to half an apple, a serving of corn, or a bowl of bran cereal, while decreasing the consumption of ultra-processed foods by 50 grams per day, equivalent to a chocolate bar or a serving of fish fingers, is associated with a 3 percent reduced risk of dementia.”
A weight-reduction plan high in sugar can increase the chance
Studies have linked high sugar consumption to insulin resistance within the brain and an increased risk of dementia. Some researchers have specifically checked out excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages equivalent to sodas and fruit juices. The results suggest that it could be possible to maintain brain cells healthy by reducing sugar intake.
“Almost anything with added sugar is not good for you,” said Julia ShefflerAssistant professor within the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine at Florida State University College of Medicine. “Whether you have sugar in your drinks or in your food, it raises your insulin levels and over time that can cause your body to become insulin resistant. That increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, but it also has negative effects on the brain.”
Foods equivalent to fish, nuts, seeds and berries can reduce the chance
Previous research has found that a weight-reduction plan wealthy in green leafy vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and fish is related to fewer signs of Alzheimer's disease. This weight-reduction plan also typically includes olive oil, whole grains, small amounts of wine and little beef. This variety of weight-reduction plan goals to extend nutrients that protect the brain and stop beta-amyloid deposits within the brains of Alzheimer's patients.
“There is really strong evidence that a Mediterranean diet in particular has positive effects on brain and heart health and that it can actually slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and other dementias,” Sheffler said.
At FSU, Sheffler is researching the right way to help older adults adopt these diets and overcome their resistance and obstacles.
“If you can't stick with it and just occasionally eat the right foods here and there, it's not going to be as effective as if you're really consistent with the Mediterranean diet or a Mediterranean ketogenic diet,” she said.
Olive oil reduces the chance
People who include olive oil of their day by day weight-reduction plan can reduce their risk of dementia-related death, based on a study by the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.
The Harvard study analyzed the weight-reduction plan and health of 92,383 American adults. It found that no matter genetics or weight-reduction plan, participants who consumed not less than 7 grams of olive oil per day had a 28% lower risk of dementia-related death than participants who never or rarely consumed olive oil.
“Foods like olive oil that are good for the heart also have positive effects on the brain,” Camargo said.
Dietary supplements may not reduce the chance
Advertisements often tout the advantages of dietary supplements equivalent to hedgehog mange, vitamin D and ginkgo biloba for reducing the chance of Alzheimer's and dementia.
But Alzheimer’s experts in Florida are skeptical.
Camargo points out that dietary supplements are usually not regulated within the United States.
“They are not well studied because they are not drugs,” he said. “You don't know what you are getting and there has been no research into whether they reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.”
He said latest dietary research is making people understand that there are methods to cut back their risk of Alzheimer's. “The point is, we have some control.”
Sheffler recommends gaining this control no matter age. “The earlier the better, but it's never too late. You'll still see benefits.”
Originally published:
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