Researchers at Université Laval conducting a
study showed
that the main
neurological
brain markers
for Alzheimer's
disease are
increased in the
brains of mice
who were fed a
diet rich in
animal fat and
poor in
omega-3s.
To simulate the
human brain more
closely, the
researchers
genetically
altered mice to
produce two
proteins which
are found in the
brains of
Alzheimer's
patients called
tau proteins and
amyloid-beta
proteins. Tau
proteins prevent
nerve cells in
the brain
(called neurons)
from functioning
correctly, while
amyloid-beta
proteins have
been strongly
linked to the
formation of
abnormal
deposits in the
brain called
senile plaques.
The mice that
were genetically
altered received
either a regular
diet or a
high-fat diet
low in omega-3
fatty acids for
nine months.
The mice that
ate the high-fat
diets had 1.5
times more tau
protein and 8.7
times more
amyloid-beta
protein than
mice in the
control group.
The high-fat
diet also
decreased levels
of drebrin
protein in the
brain, which is
another sign of
Alzheimer's
disease.2
"Metabolic changes induced by such a diet could
affect the
inflammatory
response in the
brain," suggests
study co-author
Carl Julien to
explain the link
between fat
consumption and
Alzheimer's.1
In most Western countries, diets are typically
rich in
saturated fats
and poor in
omega-3s. "Our
findings lead us
to believe that
a diet
containing more
omega-3s and
less saturated
fat could
prevent the
development of
Alzheimer's, at
the very least
among people
genetically
predisposed to
the disease,"
comments Dr.
Calon. "We
cannot state
with any
certainty that
what we have
observed among
transgenic mice
also occurs in
humans, but
there is no harm
in eating less
fat and more
omega-3s,"
concludes the
researcher.3
Some of the most
recent research
indicates that
taking steps to
improve heart
health, such as
losing weight,
exercising and
controlling high
blood pressure
and high
cholesterol in
addition to
taking
supplemental
Omega 3's, may
also help
prevent
Alzheimer's
disease.
References:
1.
Julien C, Tremblay C, Phivilay A, et al. High-fat diet aggravates
amyloid-beta and
tau pathologies
in the 3xTg-AD
mouse model.
Neurobiol Aging.
2008 Oct 14.
2. Natural
Standard, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18926603
3.
Université Laval
(2008, October
31). High-fat
Diet Could
Promote
Development Of
Alzheimer's
Disease.
ScienceDaily.
Retrieved:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081028103107.htm
