One of the questions I am often asked is:
“Is it possible to prevent Alzheimer’s disease?” Although there is not yet a definitive answer to this question, there are very promising data that provide us with enough scientific evidence to show that each of us, by adopting some simple measures, can delay or at least keep Alzheimer’s disease under control.
One well-documented way to do this concerns the type of diet we follow and the foods we regularly consume.
After all, I am sure everyone knows the famous saying: “we are what we eat.”
Let us not forget that Hippocrates, considered the father of modern medicine, more than 2,000 years ago said: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
Indeed, nutrition plays a fundamental role in human health from the earliest stages of life and throughout the different ages. The mother’s diet during pregnancy is important for the healthy development of the child. The dietary intake of a child or adolescent is also essential for healthy growth. Naturally, the health of an adult or elderly person is strongly influenced by eating habits.
Among the various dietary patterns available, the Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest in the world. The name of this diet comes from the geographical region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, which includes countries such as Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, and Tunisia, where this diet has originated and been followed for many centuries. It incorporates various types of foods, mostly plant-based and typical of this region: fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, olive oil, lean proteins, and fish.
Numerous clinical studies have shown that people who follow this diet regularly live longer and have a lower incidence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
In fact, individuals who follow a Mediterranean diet have a lower risk of developing conditions like heart attack or stroke compared to those who follow a so-called “Western” diet, characterized by foods such as red meat, butter, fried and processed foods, and high-sugar items (sweets in general).
On the other hand, epidemiological studies have shown that different types of diets can be associated with the risk of cognitive and memory decline, and even the onset of dementia characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. For example, while the Mediterranean diet is associated with a slower decline in cognitive and memory abilities, the Western diet negatively affects the same aspects.
However, in reality, even if people try to consume foods from the Mediterranean diet such as fish, fruits, and vegetables more frequently, they often also consume foods characteristic of the Western diet (refined grains, processed foods, fried or sweet items) during weekly or daily meals. In this case, the question arises: is adding some Mediterranean foods enough to mitigate the negative effects of the Western diet on memory and brain health?
The simple answer is: “no.”
According to a recent study, the beneficial effects on memory and brain health from following the Mediterranean diet can be drastically reduced by simultaneously consuming foods typical of the Western diet.
In conclusion, adopting a Mediterranean diet is not just about food, but also a lifestyle change. Its health benefits are particularly evident in individuals who adhere to it fully and over a long period of time, not just for two or three months or on alternating days.
Let us remember that it is never too early nor too late to start following the Mediterranean diet and benefit from its positive effects on the health of both body and mind!