Saturated fat in certain foods can spur Alzheimer’s

SYDNEY - 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.