Dietary fats found to play a crucial role in the development of Alzheimer's disease

Monday, July 01, 2013 by: John Phillip
Tags: saturated fat, Alzheimer''s disease, dementia

(NaturalNews) Newly diagnosed cases of Alzheimer's dementia have steadily skyrocketed over the past half century, suspiciously coinciding with the rise in meals consumed in fast food restaurants and the marketing of convenience products that consist largely of saturated and hydrogenated fats along with refined carbohydrates. It is no coincidence that the two events are closely related, as more scientific evidence continues to explain how this dreaded disease is largely the result of dietary indiscretions and lack of proper nutrition.

Researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle have published the result of their work in the journal, JAMA Neurology, that explains how the lipidation status of certain proteins in the brain that are related to the development of Alzheimer's disease appear to differ depending on genotype and cognitive diseases, and levels of these protein and peptides appear to be influenced by diet. The scientists explain that a diet high in saturated fat (oxidized fats) can quickly rob the brain of a key chemical that helps protect against Alzheimer's disease.

Oxidized and hydrogenated fats prevent amyloid protein clearance to promote Alzheimer's dementia

The study team developed a small cohort of participants including 20 seniors with normal cognition and 27 with mild thinking impairment, an established precursor to Alzheimer's disease. They determined that dietary saturated fats help to clear the body's reserves of the chemical apolipoprotein E (ApoE), which helps escort amyloid beta proteins out of the brain. Study leader Dr. Suzanne Craft commented "People who received a high-saturated-fat, high-sugar diet showed a change in their ApoE, such that the ApoE would be less able to help clear the amyloid."

Accumulations of amyloid beta proteins in the brain are known to form plaques that interfere with critical chemical and electrical activities between neurons that prevent establishing short term memories initially, and later promote cognitive decline, brain shrinkage and ultimately death. Saturated fat intake from the diet is known to affect the amount of amyloid beta proteins found in the cerebrospinal fluid. Recent studies have also shown that high heat cooking of fats can change the chemical structure of the molecules, altering functionality to prevent normal clearing of the loosely tangled structures.

Dr. Craft concluded "Diet can really change levels of these toxic proteins and of these mediators that help clear these amyloids... diets that are very high in bad cholesterol seem to interfere with ApoE's ability to clear amyloid." A multitude of peer-reviewed studies have clearly demonstrated that lifestyle, especially diet, influences the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Eliminate dietary sugars, and avoid any fats cooked at high temperatures in favor of unprocessed cold-pressed oils to dramatically lower the risk of succumbing to Alzheimer's dementia.

Sources for this article include:

http://archneur.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1697444

http://www.foxnews.com

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130617172847.htm

About the author:
John Phillip is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your copy of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan'.