Saturated Fats Reap off the Brain’s Protection from Alzheimer’s Disease

Lisa Franchi July 02, 2013

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Researchers at University of Washington found that a diet high in saturated fats can be dangerous as it robs the brain of an essential chemical that helps fight Alzheimer’s disease. The new study highlights the role of diet and proper nutrition in keeping the brain in its optimal condition.

The research involved 20 seniors with normal cognition function and 27 seniors who had mild mental impairment – a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease. They found that reserves of a compound called apolipoprotein E (ApoE) are low among those who consume high levels of saturated fats. Such compound plays a critical role in maintaining mental health by clearing the brain of amyloid beta protein which is believed to be the key mediator of Alzheimer’s disease. Accumulation of this potentially dangerous protein is known to form plaques that interfere with the neuronal activities in the brain, resulting to loss of short term memories, as well as memory decline, brain shrinkage and ultimately, death.

What are saturated fats?

Many people think that dietary fats are bad for health. But actually, they too have an important role to play. However, there are some types of fat that can be potentially dangerous. They include saturated fats. Saturated fats (also known as ‘solid’ fats) are among the main causes of high cholesterol and heart disease. They are most commonly found in meat, high-fat cheeses, meat, whole-fat milk and cream, butter, and other dairy products. Palm and coconut oil also contains these unhealthy fats.

Plenty of scientific evidence points to the harmful effects of saturated fats in the body. Because it triggers the build-up of plaques in the arterial walls, this fat is also linked to cardiovascular problems. A study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that a diet rich in saturated fats may also increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Published in the journal JAMA Neurology, the current study suggests that diets high in cholesterol seem to interfere with the brain’s ability to clear toxins that expose it to mental impairment. Thus, it can be helpful for older adults and everyone else to pay attention to their diet, and as much as possible, avoid consuming foods that are high in saturated fats.

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Dietary fats found to play a crucial role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease