Alzheimer’s disease is one of the toughest experiences that life can throw at us. American families provide an estimated 18 billion hours in unpaid care a year providing for their loved ones. It is now the 6th leading cause of death, and costs us $236 billion a year. Unfortunately, these grim statistics will double within the next 35 years. The evidence is mounting that Alzheimer’s disease is preventable through dietary changes.
In the past, doctors have thought that Alzheimer’s disease was primarily caused by genetics, however modern research is casting doubt on this theory. Science is ever more pointing toward lifestyle choices being a primary driver behind this devastating disease. Scientists have studied cultures with plant-based diets and found that prevalence of Alzheimer’s to be nearly non-existent, however, when these groups take on Western diets the rate of the disease skyrockets.
What we do know is that there is now a strong link between the build up of arterial plaque in the brain and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. This is similar to arterial plaque that builds up and creates the number one cause of death in the United States, heart disease. People with a high cholesterol high calorie fatty diets have a much higher rate of the disease than those who choose a high fiber plant-based diet. (Keeping in mind that only plant foods have fiber, there are no animal-based foods with fiber)
Unfortunately, once Alzheimer’s begins, making dietary changes can slow the disease, but the progression will continue. Current respected medical evidence shows us that the best way to avoid Alzheimer’s disease is by reducing, or eliminating, the consumption of meat and processed foods. I experienced an aunt dying from complications due to Alzheimer’s, and many of you have felt the pain of losing a loved one years before they actually pass away. If a plant-based diet, that will also help you avoid all of the top 15 causes of death in the United States besides accidents, can change the course we are taking with Alzheimer’s, it is certainly worth thinking about.
Medical-based resources on the link between consumption of meat and Alzheimer’s disease:
Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine
