Alzheimer's care patients could benefit from special diet

Researchers in Spain claim diets that include high levels of polyphenols, which are chemicals that appear naturally in plants, and a certain type of fatty acid could be beneficial for Alzheimer's care patients.


Scientist at the Autonomous University of Barcelona fed mice diets rich in polyphenols and polyunsaturated fats, which led them to determine that these substances can help boost the production of the brain's stem cells.

This process, referred to as neurogenesis, takes place in the olfactory bulb and the hippocampus - two areas of the brain that are damaged by Alzheimer's disease (AD).


The results of this research suggest that this special diet could induce the creation of new brain cells in adults, strengthen the neural networks AD affects and protect neurons from becoming damaged.


The Mayo Clinic says AD can cause sufferers of the disease to lose intellectual and social abilities, thus impairing the individual's ability to function in daily situations. There is no cure for AD, but support from family and friends can improve a dementia patient's quality of life.


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