- A new study found that a combination of the Mediterranean and keto diet can help with cognitive function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Previous studies have made a connection between certain foods and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Alzheimer’s disease affects about 60 to 80% of dementia patients.
While many people may have heard of the ketogenic or Mediterranean diet, experts say there may be benefits to combining these popular diets.
For years, there has been a link between the MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) and reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. But this new study is one of the first to link this food group with Alzheimer’s prevention.
Previous studies have made a connection between certain foods and the effect on Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for about 60 to 80% of dementia cases. In general, cognitive symptoms worsen over time and make it difficult for the patient to perform daily activities.
“I think people think of food as medicine. It’s very important, and it’s more of a recovery,” said Dr. Joel Salinas, behavioral neurologist and researcher. at NYU Langone Health and Chief Medical Officer at Isaac Health. “For some time, an important message that we have given around is to help reduce [Alzheimer’s] Situations are MIND food. People are looking at the changes of this food that are better. “
The ketogenic diet is a low-fat, high-fat diet that involves cutting down on carbohydrates. The Mediterranean diet is a low-carb, but high-fat diet that focuses on whole grains, olive oil, fish, fruits, and legumes. A combination of the two foods includes features of both, including animal proteins, non-starchy foods, milk, oil, and butter, and eliminating processed foods, sweets and sugary drinks.
Previous research has shown a connection between cognitive function and the MIND diet. The MIND diet is a modified Mediterranean keto diet that promotes whole grains, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, beans, eggs, poultry, fish, and olive oil. It also calls for reducing pastries, sweets, red meat, cheese, and fried foods.
The difference between the MIND diet and the Mediterranean keto diet is that it combines the Mediterranean and keto diets, but eliminates legumes, fruits, nuts, and whole grains.
The study showed that diet affects brain function. Prediabetic adults, or those with low heart rate or cognitively normal, were placed on a low-fat or high-fat modified Mediterranean-keto diet for six weeks. After six weeks of washing, they switched diets. The researchers collected stool samples throughout.
What the study found was that those who participated with low sensitivity in the Mediterranean keto diet had lower levels of GABA-producing microbes and higher levels of GABA-regulating microbes. GABA is a chemical that helps the brain function. For a person with Alzheimer’s,
“I think the lesson itself is a driving lesson,” Salinas said. “Only about 20 people completed the study. They’re looking at doing a larger study and I want to see how that pans out. I want to know more about it. in the size of the population and the different types and levels of damage that one has, and the root cause, because people can have all kinds of causes, such as lack of sleep, vascular changes, or Alzheimer’s, which is common.
Although there are some positives with switching to the Mediterranean keto diet, it is not possible to sustain major changes in one’s diet. Small changes can have a long-term impact and can help create sustainable practices for the future.
Some simple steps to change the Mediterranean diet, according to Harvard Medical School, include:
- Converting fats to extra virgin olive oil.
- Start or end every meal with a salad.
- Add other vegetables to the menu.
- Cut out sugary drinks.
“The most important thing is to focus on moving towards a healthy diet,” said Salinas. “As with any type of change, if you can make small changes over time, it’s more likely to be a cumulative change, than a big change all at once. “
He added that the benefits of the Mediterranean keto diet include increased heart health, and that sticking to a simple diet can show benefits even in those who don’t follow the diet.