In a recent study, researchers studied the link between western meal plans and neurodegenerative diseases. This is nothing new as there have been several researchers that have been dedicated to this matter. Western diet in the past has been prominently linked with poor memory and other mental issues. It is also linked to other sorts of chronic diseases such as prostate cancer, sepsis as well as chronic gut infection.
But in a whole new study, it has been further solidified that the western diet is the reason for memory decline as people who tend to depend upon this diet suffer from poor functioning of the brain. According to the best doctors of top private hospitals in Karachi, this research can change the avenues for the treatment methodologies for Alzheimer’s.
The Underlying Connection Between Neurodegenerative Diseases and Western Diet
In order to understand the root cause we first need to comprehend what are neurodegenerative diseases. It is an umbrella term that is used for a variety of medical conditions that are due to loss of the main function as well as working abilities of both central as well as peripheral nervous systems.
You might have heard about two of the most common neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease as well as Alzheimer’s.
Symptoms of Neurodegenerative Disease
Given below are some of the most common symptoms of cognitive decline that you need to know:
- Memory loss
- Often forgetfulness
- Apathy
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Rage and agitation
- A sudden loss of inhibition
- Mood swings
In the past, several studies have successfully established a strong link between obesity and a poor diet that can put a person at risk of developing these neurodegenerative diseases. It has also been studied that if a person can control his or her weight, they can lessen down their risk of developing these diseases.
Types of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Even though people are more familiar with Parkinson’s disease as well as Alzheimer’s disease, but cognitive diseases are not limited to these two.
Given below are some other diseases:
- Huntington’s disease
- ALS
- Parkinson’s
- Alzheimer’s
- Dementia
The Present Study and Its Findings
In the present study, the fact has further cemented that the western diet can be the reason for increased cases of memory decline in the west in the past few years. It was when the researchers stopped the Na, K-ATPase signal. They were amazed to find out that this also hindered the adverse effects of the western diet on the brain. This was especially significant in the hippocampus which is the most important part of learning and long-term memory.
Research Model
The model of this study was a gene-altered mouse. First, the mouse was fed with a normal diet or a western diet for 12 straight weeks. They also provided the mouse with antibiotic doxycycline so that they cab activate NaKtide in the fat cells.
The mouse that was fed with the western diet witnessed a sudden rise in their weight as compared to the mice that were subjected to the normal diet. The mouse that ate the Westernwestern diet suffered from insulin resistance, low energy as well as low oxygen levels.
The diet also went on to increase the cytokine molecules which then promoted inflammation. The body is in need of both anti-inflammatories as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines that can then lead to certain chronic conditions such as the onset of neurodegenerative disease.
The mice that were on the western diet also showed significant behavioural changes as well as sudden changes in gene expression. All this points out the onset of cognitive issues such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Future Recommendations
The next step of this record-breaking research is the extrapolation of this study in humans to study whether this has the same impact on humans or not. This research is path-breaking as it is also hinting towards a possible solution in the form of a targeted therapy that includes turning off the Na, K-ATPase signalling out the fat cells.
Although the researchers do acknowledge the fact that it is too early to talk about the possibility of new medicine. But it can be a first to avoid the development of these diseases such as by taking into account the dietary considerations.
