09.29.09
Indication: Alzheimer's disease
Source: JAMA, August 12, 2009;302(6):686-7.
Research: Both higher adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet and more physical activity have been independently associated with lower Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk, but their combined association has not been investigated. To investigate the combined association of diet and physical activity with AD risk, researchers conducted a prospective study of two cohorts comprising 1880 community-dwelling elders without dementia living in New York, NY, with both diet and physical activity information available.
Results: A total of 282 incident AD cases occurred during a follow-up period of about 5 years. When considered simultaneously, both Mediterranean-type diet adherence and physical activity were associated with lower AD risk. Compared with individuals neither adhering to the diet nor participating in physical activity (low diet score and no physical activity; absolute AD risk of 19%), those both adhering to the diet and participating in physical activity (high diet score and high physical activity) had a lower risk of AD (absolute risk, 12%).