Exercise and healthy diet 'cut Alzheimer's risk by 60%'

Published on Tuesday 11 August 2009 19:11

THE risk of developing Alzheimer's can be greatly reduced by taking exercise and eating a Mediterranean diet, research suggests.

Both lower the risk of suffering the most common form of dementia, and together they reduce it by 60 per cent, scientists say.

They looked at 1,880 New Yorkers with an average age of 77, who were interviewed about their physical activity and dietary habits and then monitored for five and a half years, with standard tests for Alzheimer's disease every 18 months.

In total, 282 of the group developed the disease.

Researchers found those who were active were 33 per cent less likely to suffer Alzheimer's. Close adherence to a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, cereal and fish, but low in red meat and poultry, showed a 40 per cent risk reduction.

For those who exercised a lot and ate a Mediterranean-type diet the risk of Alzheimer's was down 60 per cent.

Study leader Dr Nikos Scarmeas, from Columbia University Medical Centre in New York, said even low degrees of physical activity appeared to have a protective effect.

The research is published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Alzheimer's affects more than 60 per cent of around 417,000 people diagnosed with dementia in the UK, and the number of patients is rising fast.

Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "A Mediterranean diet full of green leafy vegetables, oily fish, nuts and low in saturated fats is an incredibly healthy approach to eating and may reduce your risk of developing dementia. This study suggests combining this diet with regular exercise is one of the best ways to cut your chances of developing dementia."