Junk Food Linked to Alzheimer's Brain Shrinkage

Consumption of junk food diets containing high levels of trans fats may lead to brain shrinkage associated with Alzheimer's while consumption of foods high in vitamins offer protection, says new research. Published in the journal Neurology, the study found elderly people with diets containing high levels of trans fats are more likely to experience brain shrinkage associated with Alzheimer's disease than people who consume less of the artery damaging fats.

The research team, led by Dr Gene Bowman of Oregon Health & Science University,also found that those with high levels of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids in their blood had better performance on mental alertness tests and showed reduced brain shrinkage."High trans fat was associated with less favorable congnitive function and less total cerebral brain volume," explained Bowman and his team. They said the results of their analysis had revealed "distinct nutrient biomarker patterns" that accounts for "a significant degree of variance in both congnitive function and brain volume." Bowman added that the positive effects were seen when people had high levels of vitamins B, C, D, E and omega-3 fatty acids.

Though trace amounts of trans fats are found naturally in dairy and meats, the vast majority are formed during the partial hydrogenation of vegetable oil that converts the oil into semi-solids for food appication. Trans fats are attractive for the food industry due to their extended shelf life and flavor stability, and have displaced natural solid fats and liquid oils in many areas of food processing. However, scientific reports have suggested trans fatty acids raise levels of (bad)LDL-cholesterol, reduce levels of (good) HDL-cholesterol, and influence other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.