Mediterranean Diet Linked to Reduced Dementia Risk, Even With Genetic Predisposition
Boston, MA – A new study published in Nature Medicine reveals that adherence to a Mediterranean diet may significantly lower the risk of dementia and slow cognitive decline, even in individuals with a high genetic predisposition to the disease. Researchers found the diet’s protective effects were especially pronounced in those carrying two copies of the ApoE4 gene variant, a genetic marker strongly associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
The research team analyzed data from over 5,500 adults – 4,000 women participating in the Nurses’ Health Study (followed since 1989) and nearly 1,500 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (followed since 1993). The study correlated long-term dietary habits with genetic facts to assess the impact of lifestyle on cognitive health.
Results indicated that participants who closely followed a Mediterranean diet experienced a lower incidence of dementia and a slower rate of cognitive decline. “Genetics establishes the basic risk,but it is not destiny,” explained Dr. dong D.Wang, lead author of the study and researcher at Harvard Medical School. “Factors related to lifestyle, such as diet, are modifiable, which means they offer a way to reduce the risk even for those with higher genetic risk.”
the findings offer hope in the face of a growing global dementia crisis, with over 55 million people worldwide currently affected. Existing treatments provide limited benefits, making preventative strategies crucial. Researchers emphasize that even small dietary adjustments can yield ample improvements in cognitive health.
nutritionists recommend adopting the Mediterranean diet through simple changes, such as substituting butter with extra virgin olive oil, choosing nuts over processed snacks like chips, increasing vegetable intake with meals, and consuming fish at least twice weekly.
“The Mediterranean diet is not just a way to eat – it is a way to nourish the body and the mind for the next decades,” specialists state.