The pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease is complex. Both genetic and
environmental factors are considered to be involved. Among the latter, nutrition may
play a major role. Longitudinal cohort studies have found that people who closely
follow the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and the MIND diet undergo less
cognitive decline over time and have lower rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
However, interventional studies are needed to establish a causal relationship. In this
connection, clinical studies based on the Mediterranean diet have reported positive
results for cognitive performance. The beneficial results obtained by certain diets have
not been achieved by supplementation with individual nutrients, suggesting that added
benefit may be derived through the association of foodstuffs, for instance as occurs in
the diet, as opposed to when they are administered separately. Research into nutrients
beneficial to brain function has been carried out, and medical foods with good safety
and tolerability profiles have been designed and have yielded promising results in the
treatment of mild Alzheimer’s disease.
Keywords: Alzheimer Disease, Mediterranean Diet, Nutrition, Prevention.
