Title:Risk Reduction and Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease: Biological Mechanisms of Diet
Volume: 17
Issue: 5
Author(s): Hugo McGurran, Jordan Glenn, Erica Madero and Nick Bott*
Affiliation:
- Neurotrack Technologies Inc., Redwood City, CA 94059,United States
Keywords:
Diet, Alzheimer`s, cognition, prevention, inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolism, microbiome.
Abstract: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) incidence is increasing and with no disease modifying agents
available, preventative measures through lifestyle factors are being investigated. Combined with the
prevention of AD risk factors such as heart disease, diabetes, and with more recent evidence, microbiome
dysfunction, there is a substantial foundation for diet as a modifiable risk factor and preventative
measure for AD. Recent evidence suggests AD associated pathologies, such as oxidative stress and inflammation,
can be modulated by the lipids, vitamins, and polyphenols obtained through nutritional intake.
Furthermore, epidemiological and preclinical evidence has uncovered certain compounds within
foods that may have beneficial effects in the prevention of AD, including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin
E, and resveratrol among others. However, clinical data examining specific compounds are often inconsistent
and fail to replicate the preclinical data. On the other hand, dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean
or MIND diet have shown promise in terms of clinical outcomes for patients, indicating a reductionist
approach to diet is not as effective as a holistic dietary pattern. In this review, we summarize
some of the biological mechanisms of key compounds in their relation to AD and how they fit into a
dietary pattern that supports the role of diet as a risk reducing factor for AD.
