London: Certain foods high in saturated fat can increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer`s disease, says a new study.
"Before now, there has been no dietary driven approach to the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer`s disease," said John Mamo, professor of metabolic fitness at Curtin University.
"Our study found that some dietary fats damaged the blood-brain-barrier, an important membrane that regulates what is normally allowed in and out of the brain like important nutrients."
Alzheimer`s was characterised by the presence of a protein in the brain called amyloid which caused inflammation and cell death, said Mamo.
"Stopping amyloid deposits from forming is the key to slowing or preventing Alzheimer`s disease," he said.
Mamo`s Curtin research team found that saturated fats like those found in poor quality processed meats caused an increase in amyloid delivery from the blood to the brain resulting in a "brain overload" of amyloid, according to Curtin release.
The study is slated for publication by the British Journal of Nutrition.
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