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[seosan08]

Fast food diet linked to Alzheimer�s
By Sarah Hills, 01-Dec-2008

http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Science-Nutrition/Fast-food-diet-linked-to-Alzheimer-s/?c=TJ6pZf%2BpD7fpDzxUEefdHw%3D%3D

Related topics: Science & Nutrition, Carbohydrates and fibers (sugar, starches), Fats & oils, Health and nutritional ingredients

A diet rich in fat, sugar and cholesterol could lead to similar changes in substances in the brain which are also seen in the development of Alzheimer�s, according to a new study.

Mice that were fed for nine months on the diet, which represents the nutritional content of most fast food, developed abnormalities in the brain similar to those observed in the brains of Alzheimer�s patients, said the study published in a doctoral thesis from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet (KI).

The research offers some indication of the role that diet could play in prevention of the disease which currently affects an estimated 5.2m Americans.

Researcher Susanne Akterin, a postgraduate at KI Alzheimer�s Disease Research Center, told FoodNavigator-USA.com: �Several studies have been published during the last years linking diet with the development with Alzheimer's disease and dementia and especially too much cholesterol have been found to be particularly bad.

�This is probably because the brain is an organ that is especially rich in cholesterol and where cholesterol has many functions, and therefore is tightly regulated.

�When you eat too much cholesterol this regulation will be disturbed, leading to many negative effects.

�All kinds of food that contain a lot of fat, sugar and cholesterol is likely to have the same bad consequences.

�Considering the lack of effective medication for this dreadful disease, to prevent the disease from developing in the first place would be desirable.�

Akterin said the most common risk factor in Alzheimer�s disease is a variant of a certain gene that governs the production of apolipoprotein E, which transport cholesterol. The gene variant is called apoE4 and is found in 15-20 percent of the population.

The research team studied mice that had been genetically modified to mimic the effects of apoE4 in humans for her doctoral thesis.

They noted an increase in phosphate groups attached to tau, a substance that forms the neurofibrillary tangles observed in Alzheimer�s patients, which prevent the cells from functioning normally and eventually leads to their death.

They also saw indications that cholesterol in food reduced levels of another brain substance, Arc, a protein involved in memory storage.

Akterin said: �We now suspect that a high intake of fat and cholesterol in combination with genetic factors, such as apoE4, can adversely affect several brain substances, which can be a contributory factor in the development of Alzheimer�s.

�All in all, the results give some indication of how Alzheimer�s can be prevented, but more research in this field needs to be done before proper advice can be passed on to the general public.�

Previous research has shown that a phenomenon known as oxidative stress in the brain and a relatively low intake of dietary antioxidants can also increase the risk of Alzheimer�s.

Thesis: �From cholesterol to oxidative stress in Alzheimer�s disease: A wide perspective on a multifactorial disease�

Author: Susanne Akterin, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, KI Alzheimer�s Disease Research Center, Karolinska Institutet.

[Tiger Beer]

I could really use an Arby's Roast Beef Sandwhich right now.

[mindmetoo]

I'm 100% doomed.

[PeteJB]

The first sentence includes the word 'could'. Read no more.

[ChopChaeJoe]

[PeteJB]

Just a personal reading habit. You'd have to be an idiot to not already know that "A diet rich in fat, sugar and cholesterol" is bad for you. Educating the ever so bright American populace seems to be a full time job. This just goes to push the notion that a crappy diet will kill you. However, there is a lot of speculation going on in that article. It reminds me of articles such as "Nasa may have found water" - I'm sorry, may have? Anyway - The scaremongering tactics used by several organizations in recent years is an infringement on personal freedoms and peoples mental well-being. This kind of "study" just fuels the fire for those organizations to start yet another scaremongering campaign. I don't want your maybe, could or might do - I want a simple yes or no.

[ChopChaeJoe]

That's still pretty ignorant. Some folks smoke for 60 years and never get cancer. Will smoking lead to cancer? It could. There is no yes or no. Alzheimer's is considerably different than past known risks (again not a yes or no) of obesity and high cholesterol. It would be doing a disservice to not report on the fidings of this new scientific study.

There is a MAJOR health care crisis in the US. Prevention is better than a cure.

[PeteJB]

Sorry, I woke up on the wrong side of bed - Wasn't meaning to be ignorant. It's just I have gotten so used to seeing claims made then retracted, made again then retracted again - it's head-spinning. How many times I've read that coffee is bad for you, and it's good for you - both arguments supported with so called "evidence" - I don't know what or who to believe anymore.

[bassexpander]

Did you know that all people who eat a Big Mac will eventually die?

It's true.

[RACETRAITOR]

After I read this article yesterday, on the way home I stopped by Burger King for a bacon double cheeseburger.

[blurgalurgalurga]

[Gimpokid]

I'm with Racetraitor. Whenever I read a horror story about fast food, I start craving it bad.

[ChopChaeJoe]

Everytime I crave a big helping of fast food, I go for it. Then my body feels like crap. Why is that? Luckily my cravings have gone way down.

[Temporary]

I haven't eaten a hamburger in almost 2 years now.. Last time I did. I pucked up all over Daegu-Yuk

[Bibbitybop]

I find most people who eat fast food on a regular basis don't have much of an education and/or don't remember important things.