Mediterranean Diet and Alzheimer’s & Stroke

Mediterranean Diet and Alzheimer’s & Stroke

  E.Roehm, M.D.

Following a Mediterranean diet has been found to be associated with a decrease in Alzheimer’s disease^1,2 and stroke³.

In a study based in New York, following a Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment as well as a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment progressing to Alzheimer’s disease.¹ A study with a median follow up of 7 years in Chicago, showed that adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with less cognitive decline as the population aged.²

A different study following 74,000 women showed that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower risk of stroke and death from stroke (as well as a lower risk of heart attack and death resulting from blockages of the arteries of the heart.)⁴

When all available studies have been analyzed for the effects of a Mediterranean diet on neurodegenerative diseases, there is a strong association of benefit with the Mediterranean diet.⁵

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1. Scarmeas N, Stern Y, Mayeux R, Manly JJ, Schupf N, Luchsinger JA. Mediterranean diet and mild cognitive impairment. Arch Neurol. 2009;66:216-25.

2. Tangney CC, Kwasny MJ, Li H, Wilson RS, Evans DA, Morris MC. Adherence to a Mediterranean-type dietary pattern and cognitive decline in a community population. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011;93:601-

3. Fung TT, Rexrode KM, Mantzoros CS, Manson JE, Willett WC, Hu FB. Mediterranean diet and incidence of and mortality from coronary heart disease and stroke in women. Circulation. 2009;119:1093-1100.

4. Gao X, Chen H, Fung T, et al. Prospective study of dietary pattern and risk of Parkinson disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;86:1486-9

5. Sofi F, Abbate R, Gensini G Casini A. Accruing evidence on benefits of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on health: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.  Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;92:1189-96