Neurodegeneration is an underlying disease process where progressive damage to nerve cells in the brain (called neurons) and/or spinal cord causes cognitive and neurological symptoms. This is the disease process that underlies dementia, the umbrella term for progressive diseases that cause significant enough changes in memory and cognition to impair a person’s daily functioning. The specific symptoms of dementia vary but may include memory problems, mood changes, or difficulty walking, speaking, or finding your way. The two most common neurodegenerative diseases causing dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, which affects 60% to 80% of all dementia cases, and Parkinson’s disease, which affects 50% to 60% of all dementia cases. While there are treatment options (primarily geared at slowing disease progression), there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease nor Parkinson’s disease.
This article explains the links between Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and 18 different nutrients —including specific vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids. It’s important to clarify that the primary focus of this article is on nutrients associated with reducing the risk of developing these neurodegenerative diseases in the first place to emphasize the benefits of adopting nutrient-dense eating patterns as lifelong healthy habits (and not to create a list of supplements to buy).
In addition, brain health is influenced by many factors beyond food alone, including age, genetics, gender, alcohol use, previous traumatic brain injury, socioeconomic factors, and history of type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. As a reminder, a nutrient-dense diet can improve health outcomes including reducing risk of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, but it is not a guarantee, a cure, or a moral safeguard.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common cause of dementia, a group of brain disorders that lead to a decline in cognitive function, interfering with daily life and independent functioning. The initial symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can be very subtle, such as mild memory lapses; but as the disease progresses, worsening symptoms eventually include severe memory loss, confusion, and cognitive disability, resulting in the inability to perform basic daily tasks. Alzheimer’s disease primarily affects people over the age of 65. In people younger than that, it’s called Early-Onset Alzheimer’s disease, which is typically linked to genetic risk factors.
The impact of Alzheimer’s on individuals and families is profound, making it crucial to understand its causes, risk factors, and ways to reduce risk.
Causes and Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease
The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease remains unknown, but it is thought to result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that affect the brain over time. Research into Alzheimer’s disease has revealed two hallmark characteristics in the brain associated with the disease:
