After my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, I spent every day wondering what to feed him. Some people say to go vegetarian, others say to consume more fish oil, and still others recommend drinking coconut oil... Whose advice should I follow
In clinical work, we often hear such questions from patients' families, filled with confusion and urgency.
Today, we will provide an in-depth interpretation by combining scientific research and clinical practice, and offer a clear "Dining Table Action Guide".
"Peace of mind": Adhering more closely to the Mediterranean, DASH, or MIND diets is associated with less cognitive decline and a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease.
This is not mere empty encouragement, but a summary of long-term follow-up data on tens of thousands of middle-aged and elderly people worldwide. Among the 33 long-term follow-up studies included in the analysis, 21 observed this protective association.
What's more noteworthy is that when comparing these three diets, the evidence points to a superior choice: the MIND diet, specifically designed for brain health, may exhibit the strongest protective effect. Furthermore, a pivotal study has shown that even a "moderate" adherence to the MIND diet is associated with a reduction in the risk of Alzheimer's disease by approximately 35%. This is undoubtedly more favorable and practical news for patient families who need long-term adherence.
Three types of diets, comprehended in one picture
Faced with three models that all sound reasonable, how should one choose? The core difference lies in the original intention and focus of the design.
Action suggestion:
If the primary goal is to maintain brain health, one may prioritize adopting the principles of the MIND diet, as it has the most specific objectives.
If family members suffer from both hypertension and cardiovascular issues, the DASH diet or the Mediterranean diet incorporating DASH principles is a more comprehensive choice.
If one is pursuing a dietary pattern that can be adhered to for the long term and beneficial to overall health, the classic Mediterranean diet remains the internationally recognized "gold standard".
Action guide: Focus on key points to achieve twice the result with half the effort
First priority (strongest evidence, strongly recommended):
1. Replace cooking oil with extra-virgin olive oil. It is the soul of the Mediterranean diet and an ingredient directly linked to cognitive protection in multiple studies. It is an excellent choice for cold salads and low-temperature cooking.
2. Eat berries at least twice a week. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc., are uniquely emphasized in the MIND diet. They are rich in antioxidants such as anthocyanins, which can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and provide direct protection to neurons.
3. Ensure a daily intake of green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and broccoli, which are rich in folate, vitamin K, and lutein. In research, they have been recognized as "stars" in delaying brain aging.
Actively increase (with good support):
- Fish: Eat at least twice a week, especially salmon, mackerel, and other fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Nuts: A small handful (about 10-20 grams) per day, with walnuts and almonds being excellent choices.
- Legumes: Chickpeas, lentils, black beans, etc., are excellent sources of plant protein and fiber.
- Whole grains: Replace some of the refined rice and white flour with brown rice, oats, and whole wheat bread.
Explicit restrictions:
- Butter/Margarine: Try to substitute them with healthy fats such as olive oil and avocado.
- Processed meat: Reduce the consumption of sausages, hams, bacon, etc. as much as possible.
- Fried food: Reduce the frequency of intake.
- Too much red meat: Moderation is key, and it is not recommended as a staple food.
For family members with declining memory, changes can start with a meal. For example, for lunch, prepare a spinach salad mixed with olive oil and lemon juice, accompanied by a side of mixed grain rice, and serve a piece of steamed or grilled salmon as the main dish. This combination takes into account multiple core elements of both the MIND and Mediterranean diets.
Hainan Chengmei Hospital's Memory Clinic integrates professional resources from multiple fields to provide patients with comprehensive, precise, and personalized diagnosis and treatment services.
Expert Introduction
Dai Wenxin, Chief Physician
Executive Director of the Multidisciplinary Geriatric Diagnosis and Treatment Center
Professor, doctoral candidate
Postdoctoral researcher, master's supervisor
Medical expertise:
I. Diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other geriatric diseases
II. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases across multiple disciplines, including respiratory system, cardiovascular system, nervous system, and geriatric diseases
III. Genetic diagnosis, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, microenvironment analysis, and integrated precision treatment of tumors
IV. Genetic diagnosis and precision treatment of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, and hyperglycemia
V. New biomedical technologies such as stem cells and gene programming, as well as new technologies like insulin pumps and diabetes reversal
VI. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy for benign and malignant tumors
VII. Microbial therapy of intestinal flora for chronic diseases and mental and psychological disorders
VIII. Diagnostic and therapeutic techniques under medical endoscopes such as bronchoscope, mediastinoscope, and thoracoscope
IX. Sleep medicine
X. Chronic disease management
Clinic Hours: Monday and Wednesday morning
Source | WeChat official account of Professor Han Ying's team at Xuanwu Hospital