The link between nutrition and Alzheimer's disease: from prevention to treatment

Neurodegener Dis Manag. 2021 Apr;11(2):155-166. doi: 10.2217/nmt-2020-0023. Epub 2021 Feb 8.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. To date, there is no effective pharmacological strategy to slow or stop disease progression. In this context, multiple alternative therapeutic strategies have been investigated for AD. This review addresses the potential role of nutrition interventions in AD prevention and treatment. Nutritional strategies for AD have been based on four pillars: maintaining a healthy weight (i.e., prevention and/or treatment of obesity, especially in midlife and prevention of weight loss in the later stages of AD); correction of nutritional deficiencies; adequate consumption of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), especially those implicated in the pathways of AD pathophysiology; and microbiota modulation.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; microbiota; nutrition; prevention; treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / prevention & control*
  • Diet, Mediterranean
  • Dietary Approaches To Stop Hypertension
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Micronutrients / therapeutic use
  • Nutritional Status / physiology*
  • Vitamins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Micronutrients
  • Vitamins