Many people ask if there is a way to prevent senile dementia and other mental diseases like Alzheimers. It now appears from a recent study that diet can and does play a role in their prevention. The study found that omega-3 foods, if consumed in sufficient quantities did indeed reduce elderly people's chances of developing these diseases by as much as 60%. Carrots and other beta-carotene foods were found to also reduce the possibility of developing dementia.



The American Academy of Neurology published the report which detailed a study over several years based on 8,000 men and women. All the subjects of the research were 65 years or over. They found that those who consumed more Omega-6 foods such as sunflower oil and other oils used in the preparation of food were at greater risk of developing these diseases.

Omega-6 fats are essential for a healthy diet . The problem is that very often the ratio of Omega-6 foods is far too high in relation to the healthier Omega-3 fats. We need to reverse the trend especially in Western societies such as America and Israel where the consumption of Omega -3 fats is far too low.

The Omega-3 foods which are recommended are oily fish such as tuna, mackerel, salmon and the humble sardines. Other foods you can go for are cod-liver oil and walnuts. As regards fish, we should be eating at least two 4 ounce servings a week, according to The American Dietetic Association.

Mnay people are not sure about Omega-6 foods but the main culprits are sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, egg yolks, red meat and margarine. We should be aiming to reduce these foods and increae the Omega 3 ones. If your salad dressing contains some of the above oils, then it may be time for a change.

In another study recently, apparently the maternal link in Alzheimers disease is significant. Nobody knows yet why this should be so but those people whose mothers are or have been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimers have a greater chance of developing the illness. There is no greater risk for those whose fathers have been diagnosed with the disease.

A vaccine has been developed for Alzheimers disease but it is still in the very early stages although the results seem to be promising. If successful, it will slow down or prevent the disease. However human testing will not take place until three years time. The idea behind the vaccine is to stimulate our immune system so that it can fight dementia in the brain.

The best diet, in my opinion which has the ideal balance between Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids is the Mediterranean Diet. It features whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, olive oil, and garlic; plus, there is only a little meat, which is high in omega-6 fatty acids. This could well be the answer to avoiding any debilitating mental disease in your old age.