Latest news with #DrSongYiPark
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists discover popular diet slashes dementia risk by a quarter - even if you start in your 70s
A diet rich in leafy green vegetables, berries, nuts, olive oil and fish could slash your dementia risk by 25 per cent, scientists say. Called the MIND diet—short for Mediterranean-Dash Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay— the eating pattern combines key features of the Mediterranean diet with a dramatic reduction in salt to help control blood pressure. US scientists, who analysed the dietary patterns of more than 90,000 people over a decade, found those who stuck closely to the MIND diet slashed their risk of the memory-robbing disease by a quarter, regardless of the age they started it. Dr Song-Yi Park, an expert in nutrition from the University of Hawaii and lead author of the research, said the results showed the importance of diet in dementia prevention. 'Healthy dietary patterns in mid to late life may prevent Alzheimer's and related dementias,' she said. 'This suggests that it is never too late to adopt a healthy diet.' Previously, the memory-boosting benefits of the diet have been seen in older women. Research published last year by scientists in Ohio found a six per cent reduced risk of cognitive impairment for female participants who most closely followed the diet, but no decreased risk for men who did the same. However the current study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition in Orlando, assessed the diets of 93,000 men and women aged between 45-75. The participants were followed up a decade later to assess their diet again. Analysis revealed those that the men and women who followed the MIND diet the closest were the least likely to develop dementia. Those who improved their adherence to the MIND diet over the course of the study saw the biggest risk reduction of 25 per cent. The findings are preliminary and have yet to be fully published and peer reviewed. A breakdown of how the researchers measured adherence to the MIND diet was not available. However, similar studies have previously used a points system. For instance, points are awarded for eating three or more daily servings of wholegrains (like brown rice and oats) and six or more weekly servings of green leafy vegetables. Eating fewer that four weekly servings of red meat is also considered a key characteristic of the diet, as well as a maximum of one serving of fast or fried foods each week. Scientists have previously suggested that the high levels of antioxidant compounds in the MIND diet can protect the brain from harmful inflammation that fuels dementia. Up to four in 10 dementia cases are thought to be attributed to lifestyle factors such as poor diet and lack of exercise. Around 944,000 people in the UK are thought to be living with dementia, while the figure is thought to be around 7million in the US. A recent analysis by the Alzheimer's Society estimated the overall annual cost of the dementia to the UK is £42billion a year, with families bearing the brunt. An ageing population means these costs—which include lost earnings of unpaid carers—are set to soar to £90billion in the next 15 years.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
The diet that could cut your Alzheimer's risk by half
New research indicates that adhering to a brain-healthy diet, such as the MIND diet, can help prevent Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia at any age. The MIND diet combines the Mediterranean diet with the DASH diet, emphasising leafy greens, berries, nuts, fish, poultry, and olive oil while limiting sugar and saturated fats. Dr. Song-Yi Park's study of nearly 93,000 American adults found that those who followed the MIND diet had a 9 per cent lower risk of dementia, with an even more pronounced reduction (13%) among African American, Latino, and White participants. Participants who improved their adherence to the MIND diet over time experienced a 25 per cent lower risk of dementia compared to those whose adherence declined. Previous research has shown that rigorous adherence to the MIND diet can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by more than half, and even moderate commitment can lower the risk by more than a third.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Meet the MIND diet: With some claiming it can keep your brain strong
Sticking to a brain-healthy diet can help fight off Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The MIND — or 'Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay' — diet has been effective in this area, according to new research. The strategy combines the well-known Mediterranean diet with the DASH, or 'Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension,' eating plan, emphasizing foods such as leafy green vegetables, berries, nuts, fish, poultry, and olive oil. The DASH eating plan targets a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet, limiting sugar and foods high in saturated fats. 'Our study findings confirm that healthy dietary patterns in mid to late life and their improvement over time may prevent Alzheimer's and related dementias,' Dr. Song-Yi Park, an associate professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, said in a statement. 'This suggests that it is never too late to adopt a healthy diet to prevent dementia.' Park is presenting the findings at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition on Monday. Park and his colleagues analyzed data from nearly 93,000 American adults who had provided information about their diets starting in the 1990s when they were between the ages of 45 and 75 years old. More than 21,000 have since developed Alzheimer's or related dementias. Those who stuck to the plant-forward MIND diet had a 9 percent lower risk of dementia. That was even more pronounced among those who identified as African American, Latino or White, at around 13 percent. The trend was not as apparent among Asian Americans and showed a weaker trend in Native Hawaiians. Those who enhanced their commitment to the diet over time showed the greatest risk reduction. That was true for both older and younger groups. Participants who improved their compliance had a 25 percent lower risk of dementia compared with those whose adherence declined. The findings build upon previous research which found the diet slashed the risk of Alzheimer's by as much as more than half for those who stuck to it rigorously and more than a third in those with moderate commitment. Leafy greens are especially associated with less Alzheimer's brain pathology, according to the National Institute on Aging. Whatever the cause, adhering to the healthy diet may help millions of Americans with Alzheimer's disease, which accounts for 60-80 percent of dementia cases. 'A tailored approach may be needed when evaluating different subpopulations' diet quality,' Park explained.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
The ‘MIND diet' could slash your risk of dementia by up to 25 per cent, scientists discover
IT'S never too late to start eating better to prevent dementia, research suggests. Over-45s who followed what's known as the ' MIND diet ' were "significantly" less likely to develop the disease than those who ate other healthy meals. MIND stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. It combines the Mediterranean diet, which is high in fruit, vegetables and healthy fats, with the blood pressure-lowering DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), which includes whole grains, low fat dairy and lean meats. Scientists say it has a particular focus on proven "brain-healthy" foods like leafy greens, berries, nuts and olive oil. The study, by the University of Hawaii at Manoa, found participants who closely followed MIND at the start of the study had a nine per cent lower risk of dementia, with an even greater reduction, of around 13 per cent, among those who identified as African American, Latino or white. People who improved their adherence over 10 years - including those who didn't follow the diet diligently at first - had a 25 per cent lower risk of dementia compared to those whose adherence declined. The beneficial relationship was seen similarly among younger and older groups, which the researchers say suggests that there are benefits to adopting the diet at any age. Dr Song-Yi Park, associate professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, said: "Our study findings confirm that healthy dietary patterns in mid to late life and their improvement over time may prevent Alzheimer's and related dementias. "This suggests that it is never too late to adopt a healthy diet to prevent dementia." Researchers analysed data from more than 90,000 American adults aged 45 to 75 who provided information about their diets, starting in the 1990s. More than 21,000 developed Alzheimer's or related types of dementia in subsequent years. Five simple tests that could indicate dementia "We found that the protective relationship between a healthy diet and dementia was more pronounced among those who identified as African American, Latino and white, while it was not as apparent among Asian Americans and showed a weaker trend in Native Hawaiians,' Dr Park said. "A tailored approach may be needed when evaluating different subpopulations' diet quality." The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition in Orlando, Florida. How to follow the MIND diet The MIND diet stands for Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. It combines the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet, and was designed to target the health of the ageing brain - specifically dementia and Alzheimer's. It may also benefit heart health, diabetes and certain cancers. The MIND diet contains foods rich in certain vitamins, carotenoids, and flavonoids that are believed to protect the brain by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. This includes lots of plant-based foods that are minimally processed and limited animal-based products, and those that are high in saturated fats and added sugars. The diet also recommends portion control, though not for weight loss. Broadly, the MIND diet has 10 food groups you should eat, and five to limit. The the 10 foods and drinks the MIND diet encourages are: Green, leafy vegetables (e.g. kale, spinach, broccoli) All other vegetables Berries (e.g. strawberries, blueberries) Nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts, pistachios) Olive oil Whole grains (e.g. oats, brown rice, quinoa) Fish (not fried) Beans (e.g. kidney, black, pinto) Poultry (e.g. chicken, turkey) Wine (red) It recommends limiting your intake of: Butter and margarine Cheese Red meat Fried food Pastries and sweets Overall, the MIND diet principles are: 3+ servings a day of whole grains 1+ servings a day of vegetables (other than green leafy) 6+ servings a week of green leafy vegetables 5+ servings a week of nuts 4+ meals a week of beans 2+ servings a week of berries 2+ meals a week of poultry 1+ meals a week of fish Mainly olive oil if added fat is used Reduction in foods which are higher in saturated and/or trans fat Limitation of alcohol and sugar-containing foods and drinks Source: British Association for Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine An estimated 982,000 people have dementia in the UK. This number is expected to rise to 1.4million by 2040. Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of the condition, is caused by a build-up of proteins called amyloids in the brain. Experts do not know exactly how this leads to the loss of brain cells, but research is continuing. Symptoms include memory loss, difficulty concentrating and finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks. Previous research has linked the MIND diet to a lower risk of cognitive decline, which can lead to dementia. Other ways to lower your risk include looking after your teeth, exercising and prioritising sleep. 2
