According t to the World Health Organization, Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death among older people globally. Women are also more likely to get dementia, and “Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases.”
Here’s the compelling science-backed health data that I’ve found so far. Please let me know if I’ve made any mistakes so I can remove or correct the incorrect sections.
Key Takeaways
- Whole Food Plant-Based & Unprocessed Foods Improve Cognition
Eating whole foods, minimally processed plant-based, and other “…lifestyle changes may significantly improve cognition and function after 20 weeks in many patients with [mild cognitive impairment] or early dementia due to AD.”- Plant Based Diets Reduce Alzheimer Disease Risk
“The Western diet increases risk of AD, while dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean and vegetarian/vegan diets reduce risk. Foods associated with reduced risk include coffee, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes, and fish…”- Fish is NOT recommened
“consumption is not recommended of fish, especially seafood (meat of shark, swordfish and king mackerel), for selected groups of the population: children, women of childbearing age, pregnant women and nursing mothers.“- Fish & Fish Oil Don’t Help
“no convincing evidence for the efficacy of omega-3 PUFA supplements in the treatment of mild to moderate AD. This result was consistent for all outcomes relevant for people with dementia.“
Table of Contents
Dementia
Alzheimer’s & Mild Cognitive Impairment
WFPB Diet & Lifestyle RCT [2024, Jun]
A Randomized Controlled Phase 2 Trial (multicenter) of: 49 subjects ages 45-90.
The randomized clinical controlled trial found that: “[c]omprehensive lifestyle changes may significantly improve cognition and function after 20 weeks in many patients with [mild cognitive impairment] or early dementia due to AD.”
The lifestyle changes made were “(1) a whole foods, minimally processed plant-based diet low in harmful fats and low in refined carbohydrates and sweeteners with selected supplements; (2) moderate exercise; (3) stress management techniques; and (4) support groups.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38849944/
WFPB/Vegan/Vegetarian Diet & Lifestyle [2024, Aug]
A Review Study of: over 100 peer-reviewed articles, many are Randomized Controlled Trials or Meta-Analysis studies.
“The Western diet increases risk of AD, while dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean and vegetarian/vegan diets reduce risk. Foods associated with reduced risk include coffee, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes, and fish, while meat and ultraprocessed foods are associated with increased risk, especially when they lead to obesity. In multi-country ecological studies, the amount of meat in the national diet has the highest correlation with risk of AD.” (See the section on fish & fish oil)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39121130/
Fish & Fish Oil
Fish & Mercury Levels [2018, Sep]
A Peer-Reviewed Study of: mercury concentrations in fish products based on the analysis of 384 samples using atomic absorption spectrometry.
“According to the findings of this study with analyzer AMA 254, the consumption is not recommended of fish, especially seafood (meat of shark, swordfish and king mackerel), for selected groups of the population: children, women of childbearing age, pregnant women and nursing mothers.“
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30260185/
Fish Oil – No Evidence [2016, Apr]
A Peer-Review of: randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which omega-3 PUFA in the form of supplements or enriched diets were administered to people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) or frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
“We found no convincing evidence for the efficacy of omega-3 PUFA supplements in the treatment of mild to moderate AD. This result was consistent for all outcomes relevant for people with dementia.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27063583/