Examining The Link Between Mediterranean-Style Diet & Dementia Prevention

Recent studies have shown a potential link between the Mediterranean-style diet and dementia prevention. For those suffering from dementia and its related conditions, the Mediterranean-style diet can improve cognitive function. But what evidence has been found?

The Mediterranean diet is abundant in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals which help the body to cope better with the damage caused by free radicals. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which protect the brain from inflammation and prevent cognitive decline.

 

In addition, this diet includes high levels of polyphenols – substances found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and olive oil that help protect against age-related diseases. Polyphenols help to strengthen the immune system, protect against cancer and reduce inflammation in the body.

Read on to learn more about how the Mediterranean diet contributes to dementia prevention and why functional medicine is so important in managing its effects.

What is the Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean diet is a dietary pattern that is based on the traditional cuisine of Southern Italy, Greece, and Spain. It focuses largely on whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and healthy fats like olive oil. This type of diet has been found to be associated with a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

The diet offers a wide range of health benefits, including:

Those who have adopted the Mediterranean diet have also seen improvements in their mental health and overall well-being. These results hold promise for those who are at risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Why is Functional Medicine Important in Managing Dementia?

Diet plays one part in a larger plan for preventing and managing dementia. Functional medicine offers a broader range of treatments for those at risk or suffering from the condition. 

Functional medicine identifies underlying disease causes and addresses them with targeted interventions such as lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, supplements, herbal medicines, and other natural therapies.

The aim is to restore balance in the body and strengthen the individual’s health. This approach is effective for those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s, allowing them to maintain optimal brain health.

By combining the Mediterranean-style diet with functional medicine interventions, individuals can enjoy improved cognitive function, increased protection against age-related diseases, and an overall better quality of life.

The Mediterranean Diet And Cognitive Decline – Does It Help?

There’s no doubt that a Mediterranean diet is beneficial for overall health, and recent studies have shown that it may also be beneficial for cognitive decline. In this study, researchers followed a group of people to see if a Mediterranean diet was associated with better cognitive function. While the study could not prove the connection completely, the results are intriguing enough to warrant further investigation.

Of the participants, those who followed a Mediterranean diet more closely performed better on a cognitive test compared to those eating other diets. They also had lower levels of two markers for Alzheimer’s disease – amyloid-beta and tau.

The researchers concluded that following a Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of cognitive decline in older adults. While this study does not prove that the diet prevents dementia, it suggests that eating a Mediterranean-style diet may protect against age-related changes in brain health.

It’s important to note that this research is preliminary and further studies are needed to confirm the findings. However, given the numerous other benefits associated with following a Mediterranean diet, it’s certainly worth considering as a dietary option to help protect against dementia and cognitive decline.

The Role of Functional Health and Cognitive Longevity

The evidence provided in this blog post suggests a link between the Mediterranean-style diet and dementia prevention. And as part of a more extensive functional medicine approach, dietary modifications become even more critical for those at risk of cognitive decline.

Functional medicine can help identify the underlying causes of dementia and design a personalized plan to address them. This includes individualized nutrition plans, lifestyle modifications, exercise and stress management techniques, quality supplements and herbal medicines, detoxification protocols, and more.

A Mediterranean diet holds excellent promise for preserving cognitive longevity by providing protective nutrients and supporting overall health. Combined with functional medicine interventions, this approach can be even more effective in preventing age-related dementia and optimizing overall brain health.

Want to learn more about how a functional medicine approach to your health can help prevent dementia and cognitive decline? Contact Internal Healing & Wellness – The Woodland’s leading functional medicine clinic – today to book an appointment. Our team of functional medicine practitioners can provide you with personalized care and support as you work towards improved health and well-being.