Can Atkins Diet help for Alzheimer?

Why Atkins Diet helps treat Alzheimer

The Modified Atkins diet (MAD) helps reduce Alzheimer's disease because it provides the brain with an alternative source of energy and nutrition called ketones, instead of glucose.

Accordingly, the MAD can resolve the following problems that lead to Alzheimer’s development:

1-    Insulin resistance: glucose is normally used as the primary source of energy and nutrition for the brain and body cells. However, in the case of insulin resistance, the brain cells are unable to process this glucose anymore. This leads to cells degeneration and cause brain functions to start deteriorate.

Following the Modified Atkins diet triggers a metabolic shift in the body in which the liver starts producing ketones instead of glucose. The good thing about these ketones is that the brain is able to process them. Hence, it can get adequate energy and nutrition to keep functioning properly.

Research and studies confirm that ketones can supply up to 70% of the brain energy supply more efficiently than glucose. 

Recent studies also suggest that a major ketone known as beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), may be a more efficient fuel than glucose as it can provide more energy per unit oxygen used.

It is also suggested that the Modified Atkins diet can increase the number of mitochondria, so called “energy factories” in brain cells which can additionally help in overcoming the Alzheimer’s disease. 

2-    Excess glucose: a high carbs diet can produce excess glucose in the blood. This can affect the brain and lead to small vessel disease in the brain. Hence, the blood flow can’t properly reach the brain. 

Given that the Modified Atkins diet restricts the consumption of carbohydrates, it reduces drastically the glucose level in the blood. Accordingly, this can help in reducing Alzheimer’s progression and even possibly reverse the disease. 

3-    Excess fructose: it was found that excess fructose in the diet can damage hundreds of genes in the brain. Given that the Modified Atkins diet restricts fructose consumption, it can help in protecting the genes in the brain. This would help in stopping the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and even treating it.

Important note for Alzheimer patients:

It is important to note that Alzheimer patients should follow the Modified Atkins diet which is more restrictive on carbs compared to the standard Atkins diet.

The standard diet restricts carbohydrates in the induction phase only. However, carbohydrates are re-introduced throughout the progression of the phases later on because this diet program is mainly directed towards weight loss rather than treating Alzheimer.

How Atkins Diet works for Alzheimer's disease

The Modified Atkins diet is a special regimen that focuses on fat while limiting protein intake and allowing only 10-g to 20g of carbohydrates.

Compared to the standard modern diet AMDR (Acceptable Macronutrients Distribution Ranges), the AMDR allows a daily caloric intake of carbs between 45% - 65%, fat: 25% - 35%, and proteins: 10% - 35%. Hence, our standard diet is considered very rich in carbs, and produces high amounts of glucose in the blood.

By following the Modified Atkins diet, the body production of glucose become very low and not enough to provide required nutrition for the body and brain cells. 

As a result, the body needs to start looking for other sources of energy to survive.

Since fat is the only remaining nutrient available in abundance, the body will need to start burning it to use it for energy.  

Subsequently, the liver starts producing ketones that are used by the body and brain as an alternative source of energy instead of relying mostly on glucose that is not enough anymore. 

These ketones are sent into the blood stream and the brain starts metabolizing them and using them as an alternative source of energy to keep functioning. This would hence help the brain protect and preserve its functions and even restore them.

In addition, since the Modified Atkins diet restricts carbs and less glucose is produced, the blood vessels blockage in the brain would be contained. Hence, this would lead to proper blood flow that can reach the brain and improve cognitive abilities. 

Atkins diet for Alzheimer: food types

The Modified Atkins diet restricts carbohydrate more than the standard Atkins diet, and stresses on fat and protein.

Furthermore, the Modified Atkins diet doesn’t reintroduce carbohydrates in the diet eventually just like the standard Atkins diets.

Supporters of this diet recommend it as an everlasting regimen that should be followed as a lifestyle across the individual’s lifespan for healthier outcomes.

The Modified Atkins diet promotes foods that are considered low in carbohydrates or carbohydrate-free for consumption. 

These foods include:

-    Fish and seafood

-    Pork, turkey, and chicken

-    Eggs

-    Non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, lettuce, cucumber, kale, asparagus…

-    Unrefined oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, walnut oil… 

-    Full fat dairy including butter, heavy cream, sour cream, and hard cheeses that are high in fat and low in carbohydrates such as blue cheese, American cheese, Swiss, cheddar, feta …

-    Herbs and spices

Atkins Diet for Alzheimer: recommendations

- Be aware of hidden carbs: some hidden carbs may be present in spices, vegetables, and drinks. Always read food labels carefully before you buy any product.

- Be aware of sweeteners and sugar: sugar is naturally present in fruits and dairy, and hence these should be consumed in limited amounts. Watch out for sweeteners as well.

- Always stay hydrated: make sure you always drink enough water to stay hydrated. Carbohydrates retain water in the body so a low-carb diet can lead to dehydration and constipation.

Atkins Diet for Alzheimer: what you should avoid

The Atkins diet restricts carbohydrates consumption and tends to eliminate many foods based on their carbohydrate content. Accordingly, the diet removes the following foods from the regimen:

- All types of grains, legumes, and starches

- Sugar and alternative sweeteners

- Sugar sweetened beverages and drinks

- Most fruits and vegetables that are high in carbohydrates

- Starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn

- Vegetables oils like corn oil, canola oil, soybean oil …

- Condiments including bagged sauces and mixes

- Most dairy products that are high in carbohydrates such as milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese

- Alcohol

- Reduced fat and diet products

Atkins Diet for Alzheimer: precautions

There are several side effects that might come along when you follow a low carbohydrate diet such as the Modified Atkins diet. When there is an elimination or even restriction of carbohydrates from the diet, symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, headaches, sleep disturbances, trouble breathing, irritability and mood swings, and bad breath might occur. 

Digestive problems also happen with the Atkins diet due to several reasons such as constipation and diarrhea. Even nausea might follow as a result of inadequate fiber intake secondary to carbohydrate restriction.

Another important factor to pay attention to is nutritional deficiencies. Certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies are prevalent when omitting a food group or certain food types. The Atkins diet restricts carbohydrates and fruits, and this increases the risk of nutritional deficiencies.

Atkins Diet precautions for diabetes patients

An additional and dangerous complication can happen if the body is accumulating high amounts of ketone bodies that can show up in the blood and urine. This is known as a diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and is a serious complication for patients with diabetes. It can be life threatening and dangerous, and therefore people following an Atkins diet should always do proper monitoring and conduct regular tests to check their blood and various health indicators.

Atkins diet for Alzheimer: side effects

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