Long-Term Care

New study says diet has little effect on dementia risk

Contemporary Long-Term Care Weekly, June 17, 2010

Recent research suggests that dietary choices do not play a major role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, investigated whether the Mediterranean diet could help prevent memory loss. Unlike genetic factors, smoking, diabetes, and depression, the findings revealed that nutrition and exercise do not appear to be directly linked to dementia risk, according to CBS News.

The Mediterranean diet consists of lots of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats such as olive oil, moderate amounts of red wine, small servings of nuts, herbs and spices rather that salt, small amounts of red meat, fish or shellfish servings at least twice a week, and routine exercise. Despite the results, the study’s lead author says people should still eat a heart-healthy diet.

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