Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention Methods Disproved

Scientists are constantly looking for ways to prevent, stall, or cure Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, new evidence reveals that diet, supplements and mind exercises do nothing to slow the onset of Alzheimer’s. For years doctors believed they could help their patients fight the disease, but new research puts those hopes to rest.

Researchers are making headway in their research and have identified nine genes linked to Alzheimer’s. Scientists have also discovered proteins called beta-amyloid and tau in those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. These proteins indicate a person is at risk of developing Alzheimer’s. This gives researchers a starting point when it comes to looking for a viable cure or Alzheimer’s prevention drug.

A panel comprised of 15 scientists was brought together by the National Institutes of Health. The panel reviewed 250 studies and 25 papers related to human studies that have been completed about the prevention of the disease. The panel could not confirm that any of the prevention methods actually worked. Head of the panel Martha L. Daviglus of the Northwestern University in Chicago says the findings were inconclusive because the studies were too small.

Researchers are not ruling out any of the prevention techniques, they just will not make a public recommendation about any of the methods until they are strongly proven. They state the methods need further study to prove their value. Some methods that have had positive results include a diet low in saturated fats, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and regular physical activity.