Following a Mediterranean-style diet could offer significant protection to individuals with the highest genetic risk for Alzheimer's, new research has revealed.
Scientists discovered that people possessing two copies of the APOE4 gene variant showed the greatest reduction in dementia risk when adhering to Mediterranean eating patterns.
The investigation, detailed in Nature Medicine, examined dietary habits and cognitive outcomes across two major longitudinal studies spanning several decades.
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The findings offer hope for those genetically predisposed to Alzheimer's disease
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Researchers tracked 4,215 women from the Nurses' Health Study between 1989 and 2023, with participants averaging 57 years old at the beginning of the study.
To confirm their results, scientists analysed comparable data from 1,490 men participating in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study from 1993 to 2023.
The team assessed long-term eating patterns through detailed food frequency questionnaires whilst examining participants' blood samples to identify various metabolites.
Genetic analysis determined each individual's inherited Alzheimer's risk, with researchers subsequently monitoring participants for new dementia cases over time.
The APOE gene represents the most significant genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, with inheritance patterns strongly influencing cognitive health outcomes.
Individuals carrying a single copy of the APOE4 variant face a three to four times greater likelihood of developing Alzheimer's compared to non-carriers. Those possessing two copies of this genetic variant encounter an even more dramatic twelve-fold increase in disease risk.
However, the research revealed that Mediterranean dietary patterns provided the strongest protective effects precisely amongst this highest-risk population.
Participants with two APOE4 copies who maintained Mediterranean eating habits demonstrated notably slower cognitive decline and reduced dementia incidence, suggesting nutritional interventions could help mitigate genetic predisposition.
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The APOE gene is a genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease
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The research acknowledges several limitations that may affect the broader application of these findings. The study population comprised well-educated individuals of European ancestry, which means further investigation across more diverse demographic groups would be required to establish universal applicability.
Additionally, genetic and metabolomic factors remain absent from most clinical risk assessment tools for Alzheimer's disease.
Many individuals lack knowledge of their APOE genetic status, creating practical barriers to implementing personalised dietary recommendations in routine medical care.
"In future research, we hope to explore whether targeting specific metabolites through diet or other interventions could provide a more personalised approach to reducing dementia risk," Liu said, indicating potential directions for more tailored therapeutic strategies.