Introduction
Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating condition that affects millions of people around the world. While there is no known cure, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of developing the disease. One of the most important steps is to understand the root cause of Alzheimer’s. According to physicians, the number one root cause of Alzheimer’s is diet. Eating certain foods can increase the risk of developing the disease, while avoiding others can help reduce the risk. In this article, we will discuss the foods that should be avoided and the foods that should be eaten to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. We will also provide tips on how to make healthy dietary choices. By following these tips, you can help reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and improve your overall health.
The #1 Root Cause of Alzheimer’s, Say Physicians — Eat This Not That
Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating condition that affects millions of people around the world. While there is no known cure, physicians have identified a number of lifestyle factors that can increase the risk of developing the disease. One of the most important factors is diet.
Recent research has shown that a diet high in saturated fats and processed foods can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Conversely, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats can help reduce the risk. In particular, omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, nuts, and seeds, have been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s.
In addition to eating a healthy diet, it is important to stay physically active and mentally engaged. Exercise can help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, as can activities such as reading, playing games, and socializing. Keeping your brain active can help reduce the risk of developing the disease.
Alzheimer’s is a complex condition, and there is no single cause. However, diet is an important factor that can help reduce the risk. Eating a healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, can help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Staying physically active and mentally engaged can also help reduce the risk.
According to the CDC, 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease (the most common form of dementia) as of 2020. “Alzheimer’s disease is not an inevitable consequence of aging,” says Brooks Kenny, executive director at WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s and director of the Be Brain Powerful™ campaign. “Science is catching up, and there are things we can do to take care of our brain health and reduce our risks.” Here are the main causes of Alzheimer’s, including the #1 root cause, according to doctors. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Regular exercise can decrease the risk of developing dementia, doctors say. “Studies show that people who are physically active are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function and have a lowered risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease,” says Jonathan Graff-Radford, MD. “Physical activity is one of the known modifiable risk factors for dementia. Plus, regular exercise helps combat other Alzheimer’s disease risk factors, such as depression and obesity.”
Obesity is strongly linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s: One study shows people with a BMI of 30 or over had a 31% greater risk of dementia. “Dementia is one of the major health challenges of the 21st century that could threaten successful aging of the population,” says Andrew Steptoe, FAcSS FMedSci MAE. “Our findings suggest that rising obesity rates will compound the issue. By identifying factors that may raise dementia risk that are influenced by lifestyle factors, we hope that a substantial portion, but admittedly not all, of dementia cases can be prevented through public health interventions.”
There is growing evidence that type 2 diabetes is linked to Alzheimer’s disease. “One of the more intriguing hypotheses is that diabetes directly causes Alzheimer’s disease,” says Andrew E. Budson, MD. “Indeed, Alzheimer’s disease has even been called ‘type 3 diabetes’ because of shared molecular and cellular features among diabetes and Alzheimer’s. For example, insulin plays a critical role in the formation of amyloid plaques, and insulin is also involved in the phosphorylation of tau, which leads to neurofibrillary tangles. In other words, whereas insulin resistance in the body can lead to type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance in the brain can lead to the plaques and tangles of Alzheimer’s disease.”
“There is growing evidence that adults in mid-life can take steps to lower their risk of dementia, including increasing physical activity and controlling health conditions like hypertension and diabetes,” says Donovan Maust, MD, MS, geriatric psychiatrist specializing in dementia-related care. “Unfortunately, our findings suggest that people may not be aware of this and are not asking their doctor.”
A specific gene called APOE-e4 can substantially increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, with up to 65% of people diagnosed shown to have it. “When a person has an increased risk for Alzheimer’s due to their family history, I recommend specific functional testing that measures Alzheimer’s-associated immune reactivity to identify the early stage of neurodegenerative processes and/or to monitor the effectiveness of lifestyle modifications for Alzheimer’s disease,” says Melanie Keller, MD. “In my practice, I order a test that includes a person’s genetic (APO-E) status since one of the three forms (APOE-e4) is the first risk gene identified that remains the gene with the strongest impact on Alzheimer’s risk.”
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