A low-fat, wholegrain diet could help prevent Alzheimer’s, researchers believe.
They have shown those who eat large amounts of butter, cheese, biscuits and white bread may be more at risk.
Scientists have known for several years that the obese are more likely to get Alzheimer’s in later life.
Although they are unsure why this is, obesity can cause damage to blood vessels to the brain, which in turn kills brain cells.
Now US researchers have established a diet high in food with a high glycaemic (GI) index such as white bread, white rice, crisps and sugary breakfast cereals and high in saturated fat - such as dairy, cakes and red meat - could be a greater risk.
The Seattle scientists monitored 50 elderly men and women of whom some had experienced memory problems, but had not been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
They were asked to either follow a high fat diet or a low-fat diet high in wholegrains. After four weeks the scientists measured the levels of two proteins found in the brain and spinal cord, called amyloid and tau, known to be a tell-tale sign of Alzheimer’s.
They found these substances increased in those who followed the high-fat, high GI diet but they had decreased in those who had followed the low-fat version. And they also found those who followed the low-fat, wholegrain diet scored better on memory tests than before they started.
The scientists, whose study is published in the Archives of Neurology, say those at high risk of Alzheimer’s - such as the obese or those with a family history - could be encouraged to follow a low fat, wholegrain diet to try to prevent it.
Meanwhile a separate study found exercise could also help prevent Alzheimer’s.
Scientists at Imperial College London showed sufferers were lacking in a key protein called PGC-1alpha, which is known to increase when the body is active. - Daily Mail