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a ketone-producing, lower-carbohydrate diet that the brain is struggling to fuel itself. Unfortunately, in the absence of
would still allow for consumption of a wide ar- clear signs of glucose dysregulation (hypo- or hyperglycemia, obesity,
ray of low glycemic load vegetables and fruits, etc.), people have no reason to suspect something metabolically insidious
which are typically richer in micronutrients, is occurring. Therefore, regular monitoring of pertinent markers—such
antioxidants, and phytochemicals than their as fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, triglycerides, and especially
high glycemic load refined grain and sugar HbA1c—might be the only strategy for early detection.
counterparts. This would make this primary In cases of AD detected only after cognitive function has deteriorated
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avenue for therapy more practical, since the to the point of interfering with daily life, drastic interventions such as
difficulty with sticking to classical ketogenic ketogenic diets and supraphysiologic doses of helpful nutrients might be
diets is typically that they’re unpalatable and too warranted. These are avenues ripe for exploration in future research. Life-
restrictive. This is also likely why much of the long reduction of risk, however, should start early and include a diet low in
research involving KBs as AD therapy is limited refined sugar and carbohydrates; rich in omega-3 fatty acids (specifically
to exogenous ketones and MCT preparations; DHA) and naturally occurring, stable saturated fats; rich in antioxidants
classical ketogenic diets are extremely challeng- and phytonutrients from low-glycemic vegetables and fruits; emphasis on
ing to maintain. There is also likely trepidation whole, unprocessed foods, and inclusion of stress reduction and muscle-
regarding such a high fat intake—particularly building physical activity.
saturated fat—despite mounting evidence even The plethora of evidence linking hyperinsulinemia, T2D, mitochondri-
in the medical mainstream that saturated fat al dysfunction, and glucose dysregulation—all resulting from the refined,
intake is not associated with increased risk for chemically manipulated modern Western diet—to Alzheimer’s disease
cardiovascular disease, and that reductions in suggests that the time has come for a drastic reevaluation of across-the-
carbohydrate intake, in fact, can improve risk for board recommendations for entire population groups to consume low-fat
heart disease. Promising avenues for research and low-cholesterol diets, which are, by default, high in carbohydrates.
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in dietary therapy for AD are hindered by an Combined with stressful and sedentary lifestyles, and particularly when
outdated nutritional paradigm. complicated by cholesterol-lowering medication, this amounts to nothing
less than a blueprint for creating Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of
FUTURE AVENUES neurological degeneration.
Although the ApoE4 genotype is strongly
associated with development of AD, no genetic Amy Berger, MS, NTP, is a nutritionist practicing in Northern Virginia.
heritage is a death sentence. Rather, it is the After years spent doing "all the right things," but failing to see positive
mismatch between this hunter-gatherer geno- changes in her health and physique, she discovered that most of what we've
type and a seemingly inexhaustible supply of been taught about healthy diets is incorrect. She now dedicates her career
inexpensive, readily obtained refined sugars and to helping others learn about real food and return to robust health. Visit
carbohydrates, that brings about AD in these her website at www.tuitnutrition.com or email her at tuitnutrition@gmail.
populations. Similarly, no genetic heritage is a com. She is available for long-distance consultations via phone or Skype.
free pass. Groups with other variants of the ApoE
gene are not immune to the ravages of the modern REFERENCES
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whatever protection their genes might provide. 3. Syndrome X. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 2003;136(1):95-112..
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role of a high carbohydrate diet. Eur J Intern Med 2011;22(2)134-40.
life does not mean the causative cascade is not 7. Kanoski S and Davidson T. Western diet consumption and cognitive impairment: Links to
started decades earlier. Like other “diseases of 8. hippocampal dysfunction and obesity. Physiol Behav 2011;103(1):59-68.
Lane R and Farlow M. Lipid homeostasis and apolipoprotein E in the development and progres-
civilization,” AD builds slowly over time, often sion of Alzheimer’s disease. J Lipid Res 2005;46(5):949-68.
with no overt symptoms, until damage is already 9. Moreira P, Santos M, Seica R, et al. Brain mitochondrial dysfunction as a link between Al-
zheimer’s disease and diabetes. J Neurol Sci 2007;257(1-2):206-14.
widespread and, in some cases, irreversible. 10. Mamelak M. Alzheimer’s disease, oxidative stress and gammahydroxybutyrate. Neurobiol
Aging 2007;28(9):1340-60.
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