10 Foods to Prevent Early Alzheimer's

SadaNews - A US study has revealed that following a diet rich in fats and low in carbohydrates, known as the "keto" diet, may help enhance brain energy and maintain cognitive abilities.

Researchers from the University of Missouri explained that this diet can contribute to delaying the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms in those at risk of developing the disease. The results were published on Thursday in the journal "Journal of Neurochemistry."

The "keto" diet is a dietary plan that drastically reduces carbohydrate intake while increasing fat consumption, pushing the body into a state known as "ketosis," where it starts using the ketones produced from fat burning as a primary energy source instead of glucose.

This shift in energy production not only aids in weight loss but recent studies indicate that it enhances brain functions and maintains its activity.

The "keto" diet includes a variety of foods that are high in healthy fats and low in carbohydrates, aiming to help the body use fat as its main source of energy.

It includes about 10 main food types, such as fatty fish like salmon and sardines, red meats and poultry, eggs, non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, spinach, cabbage, and zucchini.

It also relies on nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, healthy oils such as olive oil and coconut, as well as full-fat dairy products like cheese and butter, along with avocado and berries in moderation, and seafood like shrimp and shellfish.

These ingredients form a balanced diet that supports the body's and brain's energy while avoiding the consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods like bread, rice, pasta, and sugars, as they raise glucose levels and prevent the body from entering the metabolic state called "ketosis."

The team studied the effects of this diet and found that the "keto" diet not only maintains brain health but may slow or stop signs of cognitive decline in individuals more susceptible to Alzheimer's. The study focused on individuals carrying the "APOE4" gene, the strongest known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's.

According to the research, individuals carrying this gene, particularly females, face difficulties converting glucose into brain energy, increasing the likelihood of cognitive decline with age.

However, the "keto" diet produces ketones that serve as alternative fuel for the brain, helping to maintain neuronal health and reduce the risk of the disease.

Experiments on mice showed that female mice carrying the "APOE4" gene enjoyed better gut health and increased brain energy when following the "keto" diet compared to the group that consumed a carbohydrate-rich diet, while the same improvements were not observed in males. This indicates that the diet's effects may vary according to sex and genetic factors.

Researchers emphasize that these results highlight the importance of precise nutrition, adapting dietary plans and treatments according to individual factors such as genes, gut health, sex, and age, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.