Health

The Link Between High-Fat Diets and Alzheimer’s Disease

A diet high in saturated fat may do even more harm than raising your risk for heart disease and obesity — as if these two health enemies weren’t enough.

Researchers at the UAB Center for Aging have found that a Western-type diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol may also raise a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a form of dementia that causes progressive cognitive impairment and changes in personality. “We have long known that there is a proven connection between a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet and cardiovascular disease,” explains Ling Li, DVM, PhD, UAB associate professor of geriatrics and palliative care. “Now, there is mounting evidence that this type of diet puts people at an increased risk of AD.”

The AD/High-Fat Connection

Dr. Li and her colleagues at UAB have conducted animal (mice) research which has found that high-fat diets increase the risk of AD in two distinct ways.

• “First, this type of diet is harmful to the body’s system of veins and arteries, causing a decreased oxygen supply,” explains Dr. Li. “Specifically, it reduces the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain by promoting plaque buildup inside the walls of arteries.”
• Dr. Li says a high-fat diet may also set the stage for AD in a more direct way. “A high-fat diet increases the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain,” she explains. “These plaques lead to harmful brain lesions that are the hallmark of AD.”

The Possible Role of Statins in Treating and Preventing AD

Recent research indicates that statins — a type of medication commonly used to lower blood cholesterol levels — may also be effective in treating and preventing AD.

Dr. Li explains that statins have a direct effect on brain circuitry and cognition. “Our research shows that statins improve both learning and memory in mice,” she says. “The human studies to determine the role of statins in treating and preventing AD are ongoing, but some research indicates that people who take statins seem to have a lower risk of developing AD.”

Make the Switch to a Heart-Healthy Diet

To reduce your risk of the harmful health effects of a high-fat diet, Dr. Li says people should consider steering clear of the traditional Western-type diet that provides heavy doses of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. “Instead, think about implementing lifestyle changes such as eating a heart-healthy diet and getting regular exercise.”

• Choose foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.
• Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other high fiber foods.
• Eat more foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish.