Plant-Based Diets and Alzheimer's Disease

Plant-Based Diets and Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease is a complex disease that affects millions of people around the world. According to an article by the National Library of Medicine, "Neurodegenerative disorders are also on the rise worldwide. It was estimated that more than 50 million people worldwide lived with dementia in 2019, which is expected to triple in 30 years, reaching 152 million in 2050 [5]" ¹ and later they state "One of the key lifestyle factors that can be modified to prevent AD is diet." ¹

While medical and research industries are looking for treatments and a cure, the question arises: how does a plant-based diet affect or reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease or reduce cognitive decline?

Note: Here the studies are focused on a vegan diet and the prevention of Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

First and specifically based on the nutrients, "Compared to omnivorous diets, a vegan diet is typically richer in fiber; polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA); vitamins A, B1, B6, C, and E; folate; magnesium; iron; and copper [35,36,37]. All these nutrients can have an effect on AD pathophysiology. A vegan diet could therefore aid in either the primary or secondary prevention of AD." ¹.

Here are the important points of fruits and vegetables on AD and cognition:

• Several meta-analyses have found that the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables can reduce dementia risk and slow down cognitive decline in older adults.¹
   
• "Furthermore, the phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, and fiber found in fruits and vegetables have well-established anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may protect the brain by reducing the pathological processes associated with aging and dementia"¹
   
• "As a whole, a vegan diet can indirectly improve cognition by maintaining a healthy body weight and by reducing cardiovascular risk factors, such as cholesterol [34], blood glucose [57], and blood pressure [58]."¹
   
• The gut microbiome of AD patients is compositionally different, and it has a decreased diversity compared with those of cognitively unimpaired people. Furthermore, the study states "A vegan diet could act as a secondary prevention measure in AD by potentially establishing a healthier gut microbiota." Moreover, the study points out "The vegan gut microbiota may also provide health benefits by reducing inflammation because it has been found to contain fewer pathobionts associated with low-grade inflammation" ¹

Furthermore, In a documented study related to AD in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, they state "...Starting after age 45 years, many other modifiable risk factors become important."² Diet is one of the modifiable risk factors that we can control to reduce further risks of cognitive decline. The vegan diet has been shown to contain plenty of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and nutrients that reduce inflammation, improve cardiovascular health, and help many other conditions that affect cognitive decline and overall health.

Specifically that study states "The protective effects of those dietary patterns on cognition might be attributed to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, protective plant polyphenols, antidiabetic effects, and a higher ratio of mono- or polyunsaturated fats to saturated fatty acids (SFAs)"².

There is a strong conclusion to the study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease which sums up the benefits: "Risk reduction of AD is related to higher consumption of fruits, legumes, nuts, omega-3 FAs, vegetables, and whole grains."²

Eating a vegan diet can help reduce the symptoms of AD, dementia, and other diseases that involve cognitive decline. And eating a vegan diet can improve many other health conditions. It's also vital to eat a balanced vegan diet for optimal nutrition and for optimal vitamin and mineral absorption.

When you shop at Garden of Vegan, you get delicious meals and sides with high amounts of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and grains with high nutrient content. In addition, Garden of Vegan is 100% certified organic, gluten-free, preservative and additive-free, and 100% plant-based. So you can improve your diet by getting the healthiest organic, plant-based meals delivered directly to your home or office.

We aim to make getting healthy easier! Get started with healthy meals, side, and snack deliveries, or our super-fresh produce boxes. We also have meal plans for every lifestyle.

How can Garden of Vegan improve your health?

Garden of Vegan can help you with your health goals by making it easier for you to eat healthy nutritious foods:

1. Garden of Vegan delivers healthy, plant-based ready-made meals across Australia. Leave the food cooking and nutrition to us!

2. Garden of Vegan also delivers healthy sides, pantry items, and fresh produce boxes.

3. Garden of Vegan also has many meal plans to help you achieve your health goals.

So when you don't have the time or energy to prepare healthy food, let us help you improve and maintain your health and heart health. All Garden of Vegan delicious meals, sides, and produce boxes are certified organic and dairy-free, gluten-free, additive-free, and preservative-free. So you know you will be getting delicious meals, sides, and snacks that are super healthy as well.

Unable to cook healthy food and you are an NDIS participant? No problem! Garden of Vegan works with the NDIS program too.

Garden of Vegan's customers, including NDIS participants, can rest assured that our organic meals, produce, and pantry items are 100% organic and nutritious! And, NDIS participants only pay for the food cost component of the meals they order. You can learn more about Garden of Vegan NDIS plans and healthy meal delivery by filling out our NDIS form and we'll reach out to you as soon as possible.

We want people to be healthy! We are continually changing our menus and expanding our nutrition information online! Join our Newsletter and read our blog.

Additional health information from Garden of Vegan

Garden of Vegan Vitamin Guide:
Learn more about healthy foods and how you can increase your vitamin intake with healthy meals, sides, sauces, desserts, and pantry items at the Garden of Vegan Vitamin Guide.

References:
1. Effect of a Vegan Diet on Alzheimer’s Disease - National Library of Medicine
2. Diet’s Role in Modifying Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease: History and Present Understanding - Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, IOS Press