A diet low in calories can help stop the development of Alzheimer’s disease, if a study on squirrel monkeys applies to humans, say researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA.
You can read about this study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, November, 2006 issue.
The scientists had two groups of squirrel monkeys. One group was on a low-calorie diet (30% calorie restricted), while the other were on a normal diet. In both groups, the diets continued throughout their lives until they died of natural causes. They found that the monkeys in the low-calorie diet group were much less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease type brain changes than the monkeys in the normal diet group.
Dr. Giulio Maria Pasinetti, team leader, said “This new breakthrough brings great anticipation for further human study of caloric restriction. The findings offer a glimmer of hope that there may someday be a way to prevent and stop this devastating disease in its tracks.”
The team found higher levels of SIRT1 protein in the brain of squirrel monkeys on the low-calorie diet. SIRT1 is linked to a longer lifespan and better health during old age.
Approximately 18 million people worldwide suffer from dementia – over half of them have Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is estimated to affect 1 in every 20 people over 65 and 1 in every 5 people over 80 (Alzheimer’s Society, UK).
— Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease
— Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center – Mount Sinai
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today