Homocysteine & Dementia (2002)

This study investigated homocysteine & dementia. A total of 1092 subjects without dementia (667 women and 425 men; average age, 76 years) were followed for an average of 8 years. Their homocysteine levels were monitored. The study used multivariable proportional-hazards regression to adjust for age, sex, apolipoprotein E genotype, vascular risk factors other than homocysteine, and plasma levels of folate and vitamins B12 and B6. Over a median follow-up period of eight years, dementia developed in 111 subjects, including 83 given a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. The multivariable-adjusted relative risk of dementia was 1.4 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.1 to 1.9) for each increase of 1 SD in the log-transformed homocysteine value either at base line or eight years earlier. The relative risk of Alzheimer’s disease was 1.8 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.3 to 2.5) per increase of 1 SD at base line and 1.6 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.2 to 2.1) per increase of 1 SD eight years before base line. With a plasma homocysteine level greater than 14 micromol per liter, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease nearly doubled.

Conclusions: An increased plasma homocysteine level is a strong, independent risk factor for the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Seshadri S et al, Plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.N Engl J Med., 346(7):476-83, 2002

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Low Carbohydrate Diet & Alzheimer’s (2012)

This study investigated low carbohydrate diet & Alzheimer’s. In this study 23 Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment were randomly assigned either a low or high carbohydrate diet.  Body composition, metabolic parameters, and memory and mood measures were obtained before and after the intervention. There was no group difference in demographics, level of memory impairment, or metabolic parameters before the intervention. At the end of the intervention period, there were significant reductions in weight, waist circumference and glucose levels for the low carbohydrate group. Furthermore, verbal memory function was significantly improved for the low carbohydrate subjects. Depressive symptoms were not affected by either diet. These findings indicate that ketosis induced by very low carbohydrate consumption, even in the short-term, can improve cognitive function in older adults with greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease. This study is a first in its field and the findings warrant further investigation.

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Krikorian, R., Shidler, M. D., Dangelo, K., Couch, S. C., Benoit, S. C., & Clegg, D. J. (2012). Dietary ketosis enhances memory in mild cognitive impairment. Neurobiology of aging, 33(2), 425.e19–425.e4.25E27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2010.10.006

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Omega 3 & Brain Ageing (2007)

This study investigated omega 3 and brain ageing. An Italian study measured the blood levels of essential fats in 935 elderly Italians and compared these with their cognitive function, which ranged from normal cognitive function through to dementia. The researchers found those with the worst cognitive function, had the lowest level of essential fats, especially omega-3.

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Nutrients & Brain Aging (2011)

This study investigated nutrients & brain aging. In this ground-breaking study, 104 healthy elderly people (with an average age of 87) had blood levels of 30 different nutrients measured. Mean age was 87 ± 10 years and 62% of subjects were female. Results suggested that two NBPs associated with more favourable cognitive and MRI measures: one high in plasma vitamins B (B1, B2, B6, folate, and B12), C, D, and E, and another high in plasma marine ω-3 fatty acids. A third pattern characterized by high trans fat was associated with less favourable cognitive function and less total cerebral brain volume. Depression attenuated the relationship between the marine ω-3 pattern and white matter hyperintensity volume.

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Bowman GL, Silbert LC, Howieson D, Dodge HH, Traber MG, Frei B, Kaye JA, Shannon J, Quinn JF (2011) Nutrient biomarker patterns, cognitive function, and MRI measures of brain aging. Neurology Dec 28. [Epub ahead of print]

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