According to UN statistics and data EuroCode of 2009, in Europe there are 7.3 million people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, of which over 1 million in Italy. It is a global emergency, because it is estimated that these numbers could double over the next 20 years.
There is no treatment that can cure this disease of high social costs. For this reason, the project launched by Besta Neurological Institute, in collaboration with other hospitals in Milan (General Hospital, San Raffaele Hospital and the National Cancer Institute) is innovative and of great interest because it intends to try its hand through the diet, exercise and style life.
"The project involves subjects with mild cognitive decline", explains the scientific coordinator, Fabrizio Tagliavini.
As pointed out by Patrizia Pasanisi of Unit of Preventive and Predictive Medicine and Institute of Cancer : "So far we have only observational data on possible risk factors of the disease. With this trial we will test for the first time the truthfulness fuof these data. "
Fusion Food for the Brain
"The diet that we propose combines the poor traditional Mediterranean with macrobiotic tradition " specifies Pasanisi. "Mostly vegetarian, it includes whole grain in grain, legumes, fish twice a week for the presence of omega 3, vegetables and fruit in season. For example, during the summer we offer long-grain brown rice with beans and vegetables, or couscous with fish. "
Particular attention is dedicated to brown rice (riso integrale ribe lungo - PROBIOS): as pointed out by Patrizia Pasanisi, it is a good anti-inflammatory, then indicated for the prevention of diseases such as Alzheimer's. The purpose is to try to reduce the factors considered predisposing disease, including precisely infection and the metabolic syndrome. Both are favored by a diet rich in fat and refined foods, low in antioxidants and micronutrients in general. In particular, it was observed that glucose fluctuations, among the causes of metabolic syndrome, keep so to speak occupied the enzyme involved in the control of the beta amyloid peptide, which forms plaques between neurons causing over time atrophy.
Eating to prevent
According to some studies (1), only three dishes of vegetables a day are sufficient to reduce by 40% the risk of Alzheimer's in the next six years. An excellent nourishment for the brain are salads and raw vegetables, but also spinach, almonds (https://www.probios.it/product-detail/it/744 ) and sunflower seeds (https://www.probios.it/product-detail/it/776 ), thanks to the abundance of vitamin E. Of course, you also need other vitamins: at the forefront we find folic acid, which in some studies showed a positive effect on cognitive abilities of the elderly. Among the minerals of great help we find chromium (whole grains) and magnesium (leafy vegetables, bananas, etc..). Against inflammation there is turmeric, to be used with black pepper for a greater effectiveness. But all antioxidants are crucial against premature aging: therefore it is important to devote space to vegetables and fruits, especially berries, grapes and citrus, without forgetting green tea (https://www.probios.it/product-detail/it/1495 ) and cocoa. Dedicate particular attention to foods rich in lecithin (soy (https://www.probios.it/product-detail/it/775 ), egg, oil seeds), a substance that contains choline: this is synthesized by the body in acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter that in Alzheimer's patients diminishes more and more, preventing the transmission of nerve signals and helping neuronal atrophy.
Finally, special attention should be reserved to omega-3, whose main plant source are flax seeds (https://www.probios.it/product-detail/it/777 ). Things to avoid are foods high in salt: high blood pressure increases the risk of Alzheimer's by 40%. Attention to the balance between carbohydrates and proteins, because if the former are lacking, the latter can result in excess and affect glucose fluctuations, predisposing to diabetes, overweight and the metabolic syndrome. For the same reason we should not exaggerate with sugar, especially if refined.
Apart from the table
Although studies related to the benefits of exercise are not conclusive against Alzheimer's (2), it is reasonable to think that to improve circulation through sport also brings benefits for the brain. Sport also helps to control high blood pressure and being overweight, two possible predisposing factors.
However, some studies show in the sufferers of Alzheimer some improvements at cognitive and physical level on the motor skills impaired by the disease.
Equally important is to be positive and optimistic towards life, give vent to your creativity, keep awake the brain with different cultural interests.
Even relaxation therapies may help: music therapy, for example, cheers up and activates the emotion. It was found that on Alzheimer's disease sufferers this can have positive effects because it favors attention, affects the coordination of movements and the use of the word.
We do not have to wait the results of the trial in order to adopt the lifestyle suggested by experts: THE EARLIER YOU START THE BETTER IT IS!
