Dietary factors in Alzheimer?s disease

A diet high in saturated fats and low in carbohydrates may reduce levels of the protein amyloid-beta in the brains of animals with a form of Alzheimer?s disease. According to Dr Samuel Henderson, existing research shows that diets rich in saturated fats increase the deposition of amyloid-beta and increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, but they studies do not investigate the effect of a such a diet that is also low in carbohydrates. Dr Henderson, of Accera Inc [a US pharmaceuticals manufacturer], and colleagues in Belgium say it may not be fats in the diet that increase amyloid-beta levels, but the total calories, or carbohydrates, or the metabolic state of the subject.

Reuters