Thread: High-Fat, Low-Carb Diet May Help Alzheimer's

from: WebMD article

Ketogenic Diet May Slow Progression of Alzheimer's Disease

Oct. 17, 2005 -- A diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates may slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, according to preliminary research.

A new study shows mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease showed less of the brain-clogging plaques associated with the disease when they were fed a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet than mice fed a standard low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet.

Other studies in mice and in humans have suggested diets high in saturated fat and cholesterol may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. But researchers say those studies did not examine the effects of a high-fat diet that is also low in carbohydrates, known as a ketogenic diet.

Thanks, Teel!

A very interesting article.

Hmm... it is based on IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor 1). Increases in IGF-I have also been associated with both cancer, and the antidepressant effects of exercise.

I am going to have to read the original article...

Thanks for the info...

There must be a gazillion studies going on about dietary and nutritional effects. I'm guessing that pharmaceutical companies are funding them, in search of the "magic pill" that will eradicate obesity forever.

It IS interesting to note that most studies of fat in the diet do not also limit carbs--resulting in the standard recommendations for a "low-fat" diet.
So this one appears to give that old info a new slant.

Concerning Alzheimer's, I don't know how researchers could ever sort out all the factors in order to point to one thing or another. But I hope they keep trying.

Meanwhile, it's low-carb, lots of exercise, and laughing as often as possible for me!