U.S. research suggests that consumption of fish, olive oil, fruits and
vegetables lowers the risk of brain damage.
Mediterranean diet is characterized by including olive oil, fish, legumes, vegetables, fruits and cereals and red wine in moderation and low consumption of meat and dairy products.
"The main effects described in this diet are related to cardiovascular health from that one can relate the large amount of vitamins and antioxidants naturally in foods that compose it have an effect on other levels of the organism"
Researchers from the universities of Miami and Columbia, United States, evaluated for one year the eating habits of 966 elderly, with an average of 72 years of age.
Each participant was assigned a score by the number of products associated with the Mediterranean diet consumed.
In addition, they were subjected to MRI scans to measure the level of white matter in the brain.
Small vessels
It is known that changes in the volume of white substance is a chronic brain damage indicator. When this substance accumulates in excess, what doctors described as hyperintense white matter, increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as senile dementia.
"Typically, these lesions are associated with older age, hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes," says Dr. Clinton Wright of the University of Miami and one of the authors.
"We saw that there was a relationship between diet and this marker of small vessel disease.
People with a diet similar to the Mediterranean had less damage. "
In fact, the images revealed that there was less hyperintense white matter in adults with increased consumption of this diet.
"In summary, the study suggests a possible protective association between increased consumption of a Mediterranean diet and vessel damage," say the researchers.
For example, a study published in 2010 showed a reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases, a similar percentage to reduce the risk of heart attack.
"There are many components that protect cardiovascular health and brain. The diet improves HDL cholesterol, plasma antioxidant capacity, reduces oxidative DNA damage and improves the function of endothelial cell layer lining the blood vesselsinside. "
U.S. researchers suggest that the decrease of the detected brain damage may be related to the consumption of monounsaturated fats-fats that help lower blood cholesterol, such as those found in olive-oil, over saturated fats.
we have seen that omega-3 fatty acids linked to fish consumption have a protective effect on neurons.
Sleep and memory
The amount and quality of sleep at night also affects the health of the brain and in particular on their cognitive ability.
A study by the American Academy of Neurology shows that people who awaken more than five times per hour during sleep, are more likely to develop amyloid plaques toxic deposits that cause damage to nerve cells many years before the onset of Alzheimer's disease .
This risk is also higher in those who spend less than 85% of their time sleeping while lying down, according to research that looked at 100 people from 45 to 80 years.
Mediterranean diet is characterized by including olive oil, fish, legumes, vegetables, fruits and cereals and red wine in moderation and low consumption of meat and dairy products.
"The main effects described in this diet are related to cardiovascular health from that one can relate the large amount of vitamins and antioxidants naturally in foods that compose it have an effect on other levels of the organism"
Researchers from the universities of Miami and Columbia, United States, evaluated for one year the eating habits of 966 elderly, with an average of 72 years of age.
Each participant was assigned a score by the number of products associated with the Mediterranean diet consumed.
In addition, they were subjected to MRI scans to measure the level of white matter in the brain.
Small vessels
It is known that changes in the volume of white substance is a chronic brain damage indicator. When this substance accumulates in excess, what doctors described as hyperintense white matter, increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as senile dementia.
"Typically, these lesions are associated with older age, hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes," says Dr. Clinton Wright of the University of Miami and one of the authors.
"We saw that there was a relationship between diet and this marker of small vessel disease.
People with a diet similar to the Mediterranean had less damage. "
In fact, the images revealed that there was less hyperintense white matter in adults with increased consumption of this diet.
"In summary, the study suggests a possible protective association between increased consumption of a Mediterranean diet and vessel damage," say the researchers.
For example, a study published in 2010 showed a reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases, a similar percentage to reduce the risk of heart attack.
"There are many components that protect cardiovascular health and brain. The diet improves HDL cholesterol, plasma antioxidant capacity, reduces oxidative DNA damage and improves the function of endothelial cell layer lining the blood vesselsinside. "
U.S. researchers suggest that the decrease of the detected brain damage may be related to the consumption of monounsaturated fats-fats that help lower blood cholesterol, such as those found in olive-oil, over saturated fats.
we have seen that omega-3 fatty acids linked to fish consumption have a protective effect on neurons.
Sleep and memory
The amount and quality of sleep at night also affects the health of the brain and in particular on their cognitive ability.
A study by the American Academy of Neurology shows that people who awaken more than five times per hour during sleep, are more likely to develop amyloid plaques toxic deposits that cause damage to nerve cells many years before the onset of Alzheimer's disease .
This risk is also higher in those who spend less than 85% of their time sleeping while lying down, according to research that looked at 100 people from 45 to 80 years.
By: Rodrigo Figueroa Rivera
Nutricion 5A
Nice post Rodrigo, I knew the benefits of mediterranean diet, but I didn't know that it reduces brain damage, very interesting ;)
ReplyDeleteI am no stranger to the benefits of a Mediterranean diet, so I'm pleased to hear that there are even more!
ReplyDelete