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Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease. Perhaps 25 percent of those over age 80 will suffer from it and so it is an increasing problem for developed countries where an ever greater percentage of the population live to that age. There now are intensive efforts to treat the disease more effectively and, better still, to prevent it. It would be nice if some simple approaches would work - specific dietary prescriptions, exercise, etc. Two recent dietary studies focus on fats and antioxidants.

In the first study, 815 community dwelling persons, average age 72 years, were followed for an average of four years. During that time, 131 of the group developed Alzheimer Disease. The participants were divided into five groups (quintiles) in regard to fat intake. Those in the top quintile of saturated fat intake had about a twofold increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. On the other hand, those consuming greater amounts of vegetable fats, as well as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, had a reduced risk.

BUT,

- Although total saturated fat increased risk, there was no relationship between consumption of animal fats and occurrence of Alzheimer’s.

- There were inconsistencies in the data on the effect of saturated fats and very low statistical significance.

- When they did further analyses, the increased risk with saturated fats applied to blacks, not whites, and the reduced risk with polyunsaturated fats applied only to women.

In the second study, 980 older persons, average age 75 years, were followed for four years during which time 242 developed Alzheimer’s. They were divided into four groups according to intake of carotenes, vitamin C, and vitamin E, both in the diet and supplements. There was no relationship between intake of any of the three and occurrence of Alzheimer’s.

Commentary: The conclusion of the first paper was that the results “provide promising evidence that diets high in unsaturated, unhydrogenated fats and low in saturated and transunsaturated fats may protect against dementing disease”. Although it is an interesting study, that is an overly optimistic conclusion. The results from various studies in regard to diet and Alzheimer’s are not at all consistent or persuasive. This study on dietary fats is unimpressive and is undercut by the finding that one aspect (saturated fats) applies only to blacks, the other aspect (polyunsaturated fats) only to women.

There is, at present, no convincing evidence that any dietary prescription or dietary supplement will lower the risk of Alzheimer Disease or that any diet will increase risk.

Morris, M.C., et al. Dietary fats and risk of Alzheimer’s. Archives of Neurology. Vol 60 (February) Pgs 194-200. 2003.

Luchsinger, J.A., et al. Antioxidant intake and risk of Alzheimer Disease. Archives of Neurology. Vol 60 (February) Pgs 203-208. 2003.

A member of our Scientific Board noted “we really have no solid data about diet and Alzheimer Disease - none”.

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