Alzheimers : "Diet To Help Prevent The Disease"

People who eats a lot salad dressing, nuts, fish, poultry and certain fruits and vegetables and not much red meat and butter are less likely to develop Alzhemer's disease, according to researchers at Columbia University Medical Center.
The study, to appear in the June issue of the Journal Archives of Neurology, built on previous research that found that foods containing certain nutrients are beneficial for the brain and effective at warding off Alzheimers's.The disease typically affects the elderly and is accompanied by debilitating memory lost.
First author Yian Gu, Ph.D., and colleagues tracked 2,148 healthy adults aged 65 and older over a period of four (4) years. During the folw-ups, 253 of the subjects were discovered to have developed Alzheimer's , even though none of them showed signs of dementia when the study began.
Those who didn't get Alzheimer's had diets rich in seven different nutrients : vitamin E, vitamin B12, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids and folate. The nutrients may help prevent loss of memory and cognitive decline, Gu told AOL Health. They may play a role in a variety of different mechanisms in the brain.
The non-Alzheimer's group got the crucial nutrients by consuming a lot of fish, pourty, oil and vinegar salad dressing, nuts, tomatoes, other fruits and green leafy vegetables. They also ate little red meat, organ meat, high-fat dairy foods and butter. It's important not only to take in a lot of good foods like vegetables and fruits but also not to take in a lot of bad foods like red meat, said Gu. Changing diet is a relatively easy way to go and give us hope.
Though previous studies show a link between diet and Alzheimer's , research on the benefits of certain nutrients in protecting against the disease is inconclusive, Gu and her colleagues wrote in the paper. Epidemiological evidence linking diet, one of the most important modifiable envinonmental factors, and risk of Alzheimer's disease is rapidly increasing, the authors wrote. However, current literature regarding the impact of individual nutrients or food items on Alzheimer's disease risk is in-consistant, partly because humans eat meals with complex combinations of nutrients or food items that are likely to be synegistic.
The Columbia study was population based and observational - meaning subjects's exisiting habits were analyzed without any intervention from researchers. Gu said clinical trials need to be domne in order to get more conclusive results.
We can't make any recommendations on what people should eat based on a single study, she said. But it doesn't hurt to follow this dietary pattern, although we need more studies to confirm our finding.
My take on the Alzheimer's disease diet: A good diet is a good way to go, a healthy diet is good for a healthy body and help fight all disease. My family has a great start...we have fish , poultry and a lot of salads but I must admit we do like a good steak now and then. A good diet is not only good for Alzhemier's disease but good for everyone to have a good diet, we need to fight the obesity problem that's out of control.

Pistachios....Who Knew??

Pistachios originated in the Middle East and are one of the oldest flowering nut trees, with evidence suggesting that people have enjoyed them from as early as 7,000 B.C. Today, in China, the pistachio is often given as a gift during the Chinese New Year as a symbol of health, happiness and good fortune -- and perhaps for good reason. While enjoyed around the world for their crunchy, delicious taste, new research continues to show the big health benefits of the little pistachio nut.

Pistachios are a nutritional powerhouse, containing more than 30 different vitamins, minerals and beneficial phytonutrients including thiamin, potassium, fiber, magnesium and vitamin B6.

And more good news for pistachio fans: studies have shown they deliver a number of health benefits including help with managing diabetes and reducing risk for some cancers and cardiovascular disease.

A daily dose of pistachios may help reduce the risk of lung and other cancers, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference. This is because pistachios are a good source of gamma-tocopherol (a form of vitamin E), which is thought to help in the fight against cancer.

"It is known that vitamin E provides a degree of protection against certain forms of cancer. Higher intakes of gamma-tocopherol, which is a form of vitamin E, may reduce the risk of lung cancer," said Ladia M. Hernandez, senior research dietitian at the University of Texas.

Pistachios also provide heart healthy antioxidants. And most of the fat in pistachios is the 'good' fat that helps lower the risk of heart disease. Recent research from Penn State found that eating one to two handfuls of pistachios a day resulted in a nine to 12 per cent reduction in "bad" LDL cholesterol levels.
And according to the Mayo Clinic, eating nuts -- including pistachios -- reduces your risk of developing blood clots that can cause a fatal heart attack. Phytosterols -- a substance that helps the body from absorbing cholesterol -- can prevent arteries from clogging and to keep blood vessels clean.

Diabetes: A study from the University of Toronto found that when a handful of pistachios were eaten with a high glycemic index food (like white bread), the pistachios helped to thwart a rise in blood sugar. They also helped to suppress appetite by reducing hunger-stimulating hormones.
Pistachios have been called the 'skinny nut' because they are one of the lowest calorie, lowest fat and highest fiber nuts. (Each pistachio contains 3-4 calories.)

Looking for some ways to add healthy 'nut fat' to your diet without going overboard? Try these ideas:
--Top hot or cold cereal with a handful of nuts.
-- Sprinkle a few crushed pistachios on top of yogurt, low fat ice cream or frozen yogurt.
-- Slice and add to steamed vegetables, chicken, pasta or salads.
-- Add nuts to bread, pancakes, waffles, or muffins.
-- Combine with popcorn for a tasty snack.

Go Nuts!!