An estimated 5.1 million Americans currently are suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which causes memory and behavior changes. Since the number of people 65 and older will double in the next 40 years, it is expected that the prevalence of Alzheimer's will increase accordingly because the risk of developing this condition doubles every five years after 65, indicates the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. A healthy diet that includes soy products might help in prevent and even manage symptoms. If you are a caretaker for someone diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, talk to a doctor regarding the benefits of soy.
Diet and Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is more common in Western countries, and a medical team from Milano, Italy, evaluated the connection between diet and this condition in a study published in the May 2002 issue of ""Epidemiologia and Preventzione." The authors indicated that some degenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's, are linked with the Western diet, which is high in sugar and saturated fats. Because this diet also is low in unrefined grains, legumes and seeds, it also causes a lack of vitamins, fibers, plant estrogens and omega-3 fatty acids. The scientists hypothesized that Alzheimer's might be promoted by estrogen deficiency, free radicals and insulin resistance. Thus, the study suggests that Alzheimer's disease might be prevented or delayed by dietary changes, like adding to the diet more vitamins, minerals and plant estrogens from soy products, vegetables, cereals and legumes, while reducing refined sugars, saturated fats and dairy products.
Why Soy Might Help
Soy contains isoflavones, plant compounds with estrogen-like activity, and estrogen therapy has been researched as a potential tool in preventing Alzheimer's disease, indicates a study featured in the May 2003 issue of "Psychiatric News." Estrogen patches containing the female hormone estradiol appear to improve memory and concentration in postmenopausal women with Alzheimer's disease, although previous studies yielded mixed results, says Sanjay Asthana, M.D. Larger studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
Soy Products and Alzheimer's
Another study, conducted in female animal subjects and published in April 2008 in "Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences," assessed the benefits of dietary soy meals for improving symptoms of Alzheimer's. The authors found that a soy meal diet, with or without extra soy isoflavones, improved spatial learning and memory and that soy might be an alternative to estrogen supplements for preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease.
Considerations
Consult a qualified health care provider to find out more about how you can add soy foods to your diet or supplementation with soy isoflavones. Keep in mind that soy-based products do not replace and should not be used to replace any conventional drugs or therapies indicated for Alzheimer's disease.
References
- Alzheimer's Foundation of America: Statistics
- "Epidemiologia and Preventzione"; Western Diet and Alzheimer's disease; F. Berrino; May, 2002
- "Psychiatric News"; Estrogen Therapy Investigated As Alzheimer's Prevention Tool; Mike Moran; May, 2003
- "Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences"; Pre-treatment Effect of Different Doses of Soy Isoflavones on Spatial Learning and Memory in an ovariectomized Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease; A. Sarkani et al; April; 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Soy
Member Comments