High-carbohydrate diet linked to Alzheimer's:

 

        I am not sure if any of you had the opportunity to read today's article in the Arizona Republic, but I would like to share my thoughts on this topic. A recent study conducted by a team of researchers from the Mayo Clinic indicated that a high carbohydrate diet might be linked to mild cognitive impairment (MCI).  Also that "sugars play a role in the development of MCI, which is often a precursor to Alzheimer's disease" (Lloyd, 2012, p. A1).  The research team did their study on 1,230 people between the ages of 70 to 89.  The individuals were asked to present a dietary log from the previous year.  After evaluating the dietary logs; the number of individuals that showed no sign of MCI were 940 and were asked to continue the study for 15 months more.  At the end of the four year study 200 out of the 940 were starting to present with MCI.  According to the author the study found that "compared with people who rank in the bottom 20 percent for carbohydrate consumption, those in the highest 20 percent had a 3.68 times greater risk of MCI" (Lloyd, 2012, p. A9). 

        As health care providers we are aware that a high carbohydrate diet can be unhealthy due to  carbohydrates affecting both glucose and insulin metabolism.  Some sugar is good because it fuels the brain but "high glucose levels  affect the brain's blood vessels and play a role in the development of beta amyloid plaques, proteins toxic to brain health that are found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's" (Lloyd, 2012, p. A9). 

        In doing my own literature search regarding carbohydrates linked to Alzheimer's, I found that a high carbohydrate diet can very likely be related to this devastating disease.  Seneff, Wainwright, and Mascitelli (2011) suggests that "an excess of dietary carbohydrates, particularly fructose, alongside a relative deficiency in dietary fats and cholesterol, may lead to the development of Alzheimer's disease" (p. 134).  Furthermore Seneff, Wainwright, and Mascitelli (2011) suggest that "a first step in the pathophysiology of the disease is represented by advanced glycation end-products in crucial plasma proteins concerned with fat, cholesterol, and oxygen transport.  This leads to cholesterol deficiency in neurons, which significantly impairs their ability to function" (p. 134).  Apparently over a length of time the "response leads to impaired glutamate signaling, increased oxidative damage, mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction, increase risk to microbial infection, and, ultimately, apoptosis.  Other neurodegenerative diseases share many properties with Alzheimer's disease, and may also be due in large part to this same underlying cause" (Seneff, Wainwright, & Mascitelli, 2011, p. 134). 

        I am not sure if  changing to a low carbohydrate diet is the answer to fixing MCI, which is a precursor to Alzheimer's disease but it is a topic that is vital to address.  "Epidemiological indicators suggest that the incidence of Alzheimer's disease in the U.S. and likely the Western world is currently increasing at an alarming rate and disproportionately with the increase in the aged population" (Seneff, Wainwright,  & Mascitelli, 2011, p.138).  It is obvious that this disease is  devastating, "in terms of both mental anguish and health care costs" (Seneff, Wainwright, & Mancitelli, 2011, p. 138).  As health care providers it is our responsibility to continue the study regarding the cause of this horrible disease and especially continue to educate our patients regarding a healthier diet.  

 

Reference:

 

Lloyd, J. (2012, October 19).  Study ties diets heavy in carbs to Alzheimer's.  The Arizona Republic.

Retrieved from http://www.azcentral.com

 

Seneff, S., Wainwright, G.,  & Mascitelli, L.  (2011).  Nutrition and Alzheimer's disease: The detrimental role of a high carbohydrate diet.  European Journal of Internal Medicine, 22, 134-140.