Doctor Richard Isaacson stops by Good Day LA. He has written a book: "The Alzheimer's Diet: A Step By Step Nutritional Approach For Memory Loss Prevention And Treatment."
He comes to GDLA with tips on how to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease through nutrition.
He says eating a Mediterreanean diet full of fresh fruit and veggies, lean meats like fish and turkey and nuts goes a long way in preventing Alzheimer's. Also, Dr. Isaacson says studies have confirmed that berries are good towards preventing the diesase as well.
Here are a list of his tips:
1. Fast 12 hours at night. If you routinely wake up at 6 a.m., try to eat your last meal at 6 p.m. the night before. There is scientific evidence that substances called ketone bodies, which are produced when there are no carbohydrates to burn for fuel, may have a protective effect on brain cells. This can also help reduce overall caloric intake, which has also been shown to reduce the likelihood of developing memory loss.
2. Reduce Carbohydrates. These include sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, processed cereals and grains, anything baked, ice cream and sorbet, crackers, salty snacks such as chips and pretzels, and anything made with white flour.
3. Eat Mediterranean-style. A brain-healthy Mediterranean-style diet includes fruits and vegetables, lean protein (fish, chicken, and turkey); low-fat yogurt and cheeses; and nuts and seeds. Stay away from red meat and processed foods. The "style" part refers to exercise, which goes hand in hand to protect the brain.
4. Boost omega-3s & B-vitamins. Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) are essential for memory function and brain health. Most of us don't get enough from dietary sources (such as fish), so consider high-quality, pure fish oil supplements that contain a minimum of 250 mg of DHA in each capsule, and aim for 1,000-1,500 mg of DHA daily if approved by the treating physician. Ensure adequate intake of folic acid, B6, and B12. If you're not eating vitamin-rich foods on a regular basis, it's good to supplement as needed in pill or liquid form.
5. Mocha for your Memory. Caffeinated coffee, 1-3 cups early in the day, may be beneficial over time to your brain. Studies done in Europe over several years demonstrate that men who drank coffee regularly for many years showed less of a decline on memory tests than those who did not drink coffee. Better yet add in antioxidant-rich 100% pure unsweetened cocoa powder for a , since antioxidants like dark chocolate, berries, mushrooms, onions, beans, seeds, sardines, herring, trout, and Alaskan wild salmon.
Harvard-trained Neurologist Dr. Richard Isaacson is an associate professor of clinical neurology specializing in Alzheimer's disease at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Isaacson will soon be relocating to New York City at Weill Cornell Medical College to start the first ever Alzheimer's Prevention and Treatment Clinic, caring for patients and their family members, in the same clinic visit. His research focuses on dietary changes to both prevent and treat memory loss.
RELATED LINKS:
Adapted from the new book, "The Alzheimer's Diet: A Step-by-Step Nutritional Approach for Memory Loss Prevention and Treatment" and Alzheimer's Treatment Alzheimer's Prevention: A Patient & Family Guide (in English/Spanish), by Dr. Richard Isaacson.
https://www.facebook.com/AlzheimersDisease
