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The MIND diet beneficial effects on brain function

Homepage Articles The MIND diet beneficial effects on brain function

The MIND diet beneficial effects on brain function

The MIND diet is a combination of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet, developed by researchers at Rush University Medical Center who have shown a positive effect on brain functioning.

Table of Contents

1. Neurodegenerative diseases

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. It causes the death of neurons and the destruction of synapses by the accumulation in neurons of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillar connections made up of excessively phosphorylated tau protein. It results in irreversible loss of cognitive function. It is a progressive and incurable disease. The risk of developing it increases after age 65. However, the risk of unmodified factors include genetic factors. Several genetic code mutations have been identified that increase the predisposition to the disease. One of the organisms that encode the APOE protein is APOE.

2. The MIND diet is the rule

MIND (MediterraneanDASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) is a method of nutrition to delay the occurrence of neurodegenerable changes. The Mediterranean diet is known for its ability to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. It may also delay aging of the brain, we learn from the PREDIMED study conducted in Spain. Study participants in the study were divided into 3 groups of people who had low-fat, low-fiber diets. For example, the Mediterranean diet was known to have a lower risk of coronary artery disease than the dietary supplementary dietary supplements.

3. Diet isn't all it's cracked up to be

In addition to proper nutrition, daily physical activity is also necessary. The minimum recommended is 5 times a week after 30 minutes of exercise adapted to the physical capabilities of the practitioner (moderate pace). There is no longer any doubt that such a practice prevents the occurrence of type 2 diabetes, obesity or cardiovascular disease. These in turn increase the risk of dementia, so this form of prevention will also be important for the brain. It is also important that the brain constantly poses new challenges, introduces thought-requiring activities such as playing chess, speaking a foreign language or reading books.

4. The effectiveness of the MIND diet

The Rush Memory and Aging Project followed an average of 960 people aged 5898 for 5 years. People whose diets met the highest MIND criteria showed a much slower rate of cognitive impairment. The MIND diet was highly rated in the U. S. News & World Report. It ranked 5th in the easy-to-follow diet category, 8th in best diets for diabetics and 23rd in the best dieth for weight loss.
Source

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MIND Diet Ranked Among Best by U.S. News, rush.edu/news/press-releases/mind-diet-ranked-among-best-us-news (18.04.2019).
MIND Diet May Slow Cognitive Decline in Stroke Survivors, rush.edu/news/press-releases/mind-diet-may-slow-cognitive-decline-stroke-survivors (18.04.2019).
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