Alzheimer's disease (AD), defined by German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer in 1906, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that begins with forgetfulness (dementia) and continues with a decrease in mental abilities.
It ranks 6th among the lethal diseases in the world. According to the World Health Organization data, it is predicted that this disease, which is becoming more widespread day by day, will affect approximately 100 million people worldwide in the 2050s and Turkey will be one of the 4 countries with the highest number of Alzheimer's patients.Every year to raise awarenessSeptember is known as Alzheimer's month all over the world.
Risk factors that cause the disease include cognitive ability, physical activity, environmental factors such as diabetes, smoking, depression, and apolipoprotein E gene epsilon 4 allele defect. Genetic factors such as.
According to studies conducted in recent years, it has been seen that nutrition has a significant effect on AD. It is known that some nutrients and nutritional components, such as antioxidants, vitamins, polyphenols and fish, reduce the risk of AD. On the contrary, saturated fatty acids, high-energy nutrition and alcohol consumption increase the risk of disease formation.
The use of foods containing vitamin A and Beta carotene in the nutritional treatment of Alzheimer's disease has been effective in high memory performance. It was concluded that the risk of AD was reduced in people who were given combined vitamin C and E supplements, known for their oxidative stress-reducing properties, for 3 years.
Although there is no evidence clearly demonstrating the effects of selenium on AD, selenium may be effective due to its antioxidant properties. It is thought that.
Resveratrol, which is from the group of polyphenols, is a compound found in mulberries, blueberries and largely in grapes, and its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties are known. It is thought that with these effects, it will contribute to the development of cognitive function in AD. Again, curcumin is a polyphenol found in the spice turmeric and is used as a therapeutic agent in some countries with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antiangiogenic effects. Curcumin is thought to be an agent that slows the progression of AD.
B group vitamins (folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12) contribute to the prevention of AD by reducing oxidative stress and homocysteine concentration.
There are studies conducted with large populations showing that vitamin D levels are related to cognitive function.
Monounsaturated fatty acids and their derivatives have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects in in vivo studies. It is also known that a diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids has beneficial effects on AD.
So now, let's take a look at which foods contain these nutrients:
Fish
Long chain omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA found in fish reduce the risk of dementia and AD.
Fruits and vegetables
Fruit Polyphenols and isothiocyanates found in vegetables and vegetables have an effect on reducing the risk of dementia and AD, thanks to their antioxidant properties.
Milk and dairy products
Less consumption of milk and its products reduces cognitive function. is associated with weakness. It is reported that the rich phosphorus and magnesium contents of dairy products reduce the risk of disease by reducing the changes in the brain that cause vascular and cognitive disorders. However, semi-fat products should be preferred, not full-fat products.
Tea and Coffee
The caffeine found in coffee and especially the polyphenols found in green tea have a protective effect against AD. Hypertension patients should be careful when consuming coffee.
As a result, studies have shown that a healthy diet can be achieved by consuming vegetables and fruits, whole grains, fresh dairy products, breakfast cereals, vegetable oils, hazelnuts and fish. It reduces the risk of development.
Alzheimer's disease, which is a common disease around the world, can be prevented, its negative effects can be reduced or delayed by adopting and maintaining healthy eating habits.
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