Share on PinterestA modified Mediterranean diet with ketogenic elements may help keep Alzheimer’s at bay. Image credit: Garage Island Crew/Stocksy.Every 65 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers know certain lifestyle factors, including poor diet and obesity, can increase a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Researchers from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine have found following a Mediterranean-based ketogenic diet may help lower a person’s Alzheimer’s risk.
Mediterranean-based Keto Diet May Lower Risk
Every 65 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease — a form of dementia causing memory loss and cognitive issues.
Mediterranean-based Keto Diet May Lower Risk
While researchers still do not know exactly what causes Alzheimer’s disease, they do know certain lifestyle factors including poor diet, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity can heighten a person’s risk for developing the disease.
Mediterranean-based Keto Diet May Lower Risk
Now, researchers from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine have found people who follow a Mediterranean-based ketogenic diet, compared to a low-fat, higher carbohydrate diet, may lower their Alzheimer’s risk.
Mediterranean-based Keto Diet May Lower Risk
The study was recently published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Mediterranean-based Keto Diet May Lower Risk
Both the Mediterranean and ketogenic — often shortened to “keto” — diets have been around for a while.
Mediterranean-based Keto Diet May Lower Risk
Past research shows that the Mediterranean diet may help slow the development of Alzheimer’s disease. And other research has found that the keto diet may offer a new way to treat Alzheimer’s.
Mediterranean-based Keto Diet May Lower Risk
The Mediterranean diet is based on foods traditionally eaten in the Mediterranean region, including the countries of Greece and Italy.
This diet focuses on eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, legumes, olive oil, and limited amounts of red meat. Processed foods, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages should be avoided.
The keto diet focuses on eating healthy fats and decreasing carbohydrate intake. Foods focused on in the keto diet include animal proteins, non-starchy vegetables, dairy, oils, and butter.
“The Mediterranean ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat, normal-protein diet, in which the fat and protein are…