Save your brain with the Mediterranean diet?

According to Gad A. Marshall, MD (Instructor in Neurology, Harvard Medical School, and Associate Neurologist, Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston) two recent studies demonstrate a reduction in the risk of mental decline in people who follow a Mediterranean diet. In a study in New York City, risk this showed up as a decline in the risk of Alzheimer's dementia in those who followed a Mediterranean diet, exercised regularly, or both. The hazard ratios were 0.6, 0.67, and 0.64 respectively. The study was large, well controlled of confounding factors and followed people for over 5 years. It would appear that in this population the diet reduced the risk of dementia by about 30-40%! A similar study in France, which was smaller, showed reduced cognitive decline (better maintained brain function) but not reduced risk of dementia. This study may not have been powerful enough to show benefit in preventing Alzheimer's, but results are still encouraging.

It seems to me the more we learn about diet and exercise, the more benefits we find. Perhaps Hippocrates was on to something when he recommended healthy (presumably Mediterranean given his location) diet, fresh air and exercise!