Jonathan Globerman takes a look at whether nutrition is an important factor in fighting alzheimer's disease or not.

1. Is Nutrition an Important
Factor in Fighting
Alzheimer’s Disease?

2. • Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects more than 5
million people in North America
• At different stages of the illness, people will forget
the names of their loved ones, life long memories
and even control over their motor skills
• Although millions of dollars have been spent in
finding a cure, or even a way to slow down its
progression, there is still much to be learned
about Alzheimer’s and its triggers

3. • Researchers have discovered that there are
multiple factors that can increase someone’s
chances at developing this illness
• such as such as genetic make up
• environmental surroundings
• even lifestyle choices

4. • One specific area worth looking at is dietary
restrictions and eating habits of people in all
stages of Alzheimer’s
• Despite the lack of concrete data, scientists are
looking at specific foods that could potentially
affect the illness’ progression in individuals

5. • Tara Harwood works as a dietician at the Cleveland
Clinic in Ohio, and in her line of work she has found a
some correlation between the intake of Omega-3 Fatty
Acids and Vitamin B and the decline of Alzheimer’s
• Another theory that is being looked at is the absorption
of foods that are rich in antioxidant properties
• Free radicals that are found in people with this disease
weaken and destroy cells, which in turn further
damages the body’s ability to fight the disease and stop
its progression

6. • The neurology department at Columbia University is
studying the “Mediterranean diet,” which primarily consists
of a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, healthy oils, fish
and much lower intake of heavy meats like pork and beef
• The information towards dietary restrictions is still very
vague and in the earliest stages of experimentation,
however, there are still reliable clues one can follow in order
to cope with Alzheimer’s
• Leading healthy lifestyles, remaining active, eating foods
that are low in saturated fats, and taking daily vitamins is a
good way to defend yourself from the disease and hopefully
slow its progression