Recent research published in the journal Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy suggests that a regimen of healthy diet and consistent exercise may help stabilize dementia symptoms in patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The study, conducted between September 2018 and June 2022, involved 51 participants aged between 45 and 90 years.
A healthy plant-based diet, mild exercise, stress management, and group support significantly improve cognition in early Alzheimer's disease. 71% of participants showed improvement.
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— Zain Khalpey, MD, PhD, FACS (@ZainKhalpey) June 7, 2024
The research divided the participants into two groups. One group underwent intensive lifestyle changes, including a shift to a whole-foods diet, moderate physical activity, and stress management techniques. This diet emphasized a vegan approach, rich in complex carbohydrates sourced from fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, while keeping processed sugars and harmful fats to a minimum. Importantly, there was no restriction on calorie intake. The exercise component consisted of 30 minutes of walking or strength training three times a week. For stress management, participants engaged in yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching.
The findings indicated that those who adhered to these intensive lifestyle changes experienced stabilization in their dementia symptoms. Conversely, the group that did not implement any lifestyle changes saw a continued decline in cognitive functions, including memory and thinking abilities.
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Researchers emphasized the need for intensive rather than moderate lifestyle adjustments to potentially improve cognitive function and overall quality of life in individuals suffering from early-stage AD. This insight is particularly relevant given the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease; around 6.9 million Americans aged 65 or older are affected by dementia related to Alzheimer’s.
Despite the billions of dollars spent by researchers and pharmaceutical companies on developing treatments for Alzheimer’s, only two drugs, Leqembi and Aduhelm, have received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to date. This underscores the significance of alternative interventions, like dietary and lifestyle modifications, in managing or possibly slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Major Points
- A study published in Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy explored the impact of diet and exercise on early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) symptoms, involving 51 participants aged 45 to 90, conducted from September 2018 to June 2022.
- Participants were split into two groups; one adopted intensive lifestyle changes including a whole-foods, vegan diet rich in complex carbohydrates and minimal processed sugars and fats, with no calorie restrictions.
- The lifestyle regimen also included moderate physical activities like walking or strength training three times a week and stress-reducing practices such as yoga and breathing exercises.
- Results showed that participants adhering to these comprehensive lifestyle changes experienced a stabilization of dementia symptoms, while those without such changes continued to decline in cognitive functions.
- The study highlights the potential benefits of intensive lifestyle interventions in managing symptoms of early-stage AD, especially significant given the limited success of pharmaceutical treatments with only two drugs approved by the FDA so far.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
