The risk of developing Alzheimer's disease may be reduced by including one or more servings of fish in your diet on a weekly basis. A recent study at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, found that elderly people may cut the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in half, by including fish in their diet on a regular basis.

Alzheimer Disease Prevention Study:

This study on Alzheimer's disease prevention, was conducted between the years 1993 and 2000.  In this study of over 800 people, aged 65 and older, it was found that individuals who ate fish at least once a week, were found to be 60% less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than their peers, who either rarely or never ate fish.  The findings in the study were consistent with previous findings, which have shown a strong correlation between Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that are found in fish, and higher degrees of mental functioning.

Laboratory animals which were fed diets rich in these fatty acids have been shown to have improved nerve functioning, and learning and memory skills, according to the study in the Archives of Neurology.  Martha Clare Morris, the lead author on the study at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center stated: "Our findings suggest that consumption of fish-at least weekly, oil-based salad dressings and nuts, may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease".

Alzheimer's Disease Research Results:

Researchers originally enrolled 815 Chicago residents in the study, which were then tracked for seven years, between 1993 and 2000.  While none of participants had Alzheimer's disease at the beginning of that period of time, 131 went on to develop the chronic, progressive disorder, which is the most common form of dementia.

Alzheimer's' Disease Research Conclusions:

Alzheimer's Disease has no cure, leaving medical science with the necessity of focusing on preventative measures such as dietary considerations (such as eating fish), and opportunities to delay it's progress  with medications such as Aricept, Excelon and the newest of the Alzheimer's Disease medications, Memantine.

Information and webpage by Paul Susic  MA Licensed Psychologist   Ph.D. Candidate  (Health and Geriatric Psychologist)

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