In the News: High Meat Consumption Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

In the News: High Meat Consumption Linked to Lower Dementia Risk in Genetic Risk Group - Karolinska Institutet

We post articles from the media regularly and add our views about the underlying science supporting claims. Also, we provide opinions about how soon any of the findings may actually be incorporated into clinical practice. 

ATRI Commentary: 

This week, we present another study which examines the relationship between lifestyle choices and risk for dementia. 

Scientists at the Karolinska Institute conducted an observational study which followed more than 2,100 cognitively normal participants aged 60 or older for up to 15 years. The association between self-reported diet and cognitive health measures was analyzed, adjusting for age, sex, education, and lifestyle factors. They found that those at greater genetic risk for Alzheimer's because of APOE 4 status showed significantly lower rates of dementia when they belonged to a subgroup of APOE 4 carriers who were found to consume substantially greater amounts of meat on a regular basis (estimated at 870 grams, or 2 pounds, per week). 

There are many interesting things to consider about this finding. Genetics and ethnicity are important factors to consider as we seek treatments. Diet may matter, but we need to learn much more. For the subgroup of people with the APOE4 allele, the healthiest diet may need to be redefined, and if this finding can be substantiated, it may help us learn more about management of Alzheimer's Disease for all populations. 

We close with the usual cautionary remark: this is an observational study. To support a therapeutic interventional recommendation, we need controlled trials.