Can diet really help lower your risk of Alzheimer's? Apparently so, according to findings released at a recent American Academy of Neurology meeting. A diet high in vegetables, nuts and fish and low in high-fat dairy products may be just the right combination to help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers, led by Yan Gu of Columbia University, analysed seven nutrients thought to be related to Alzheimer's in the diets of 2,136 healthy seniors in New York. The nutrients were saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin B12 and folate. Over an average follow-up of almost four years, 251 of the seniors developed Alzheimer's. The researchers found that a dietary pattern high in cruciferous and green-leafy vegetables, tomatoes, nuts and fish but low in red meat and high-fat dairy products was associated with lower risks of Alzheimer's.

The one-third of participants who most closely matched that dietary pattern were 42 per cent less likely to develop Alzheimer's than those whose diets were most divergent from that pattern. The middle group - matching the dietary pattern less closely, but better than the bottom third - saw a 23 per cent lower risk of Alzheimer's. The dietary pattern linked to lower Alzheimer's risk was positively correlated with omega-3, omega-6, folate and vitamin E, but negatively correlated with saturated fats and vitamin B12 intakes.

Q and A

Q: Is it true that celery is high in sodium and should be limited by those with high blood pressure?

A: Increased blood pressure from celery is only likely if you dip it in salt or high-sodium dip. Two medium stalks of celery contain about 64 milligrams (mg) of sodium, which is higher than the two to 20 mg found in a serving of most unseasoned raw vegetables. But that doesn't make it high-sodium. That's still only a fraction of the recommended limit. The place to be cautious is with vegetables like pickles, another choice known for its low calories, which typically contain about 570 mg of sodium in a similar portion - one-fourth of a day's worth of sodium.

Although not as high in vitamins and phytochemicals as other fruits and vegetables, celery is one of the top dietary sources of a particular flavonoid phytochemical called apigenin. Apigenin is currently under study for a possible role in the self-destruction of damaged cells (such as cancer cells). And celery provides compounds called phthalides that may contribute to blood vessel health and cancer prevention.

Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight plays a huge role in blood pressure control. Weight control is easier when you can serve hearty portions of mixed dishes by including vegetables such as celery, since a whole cup of chopped celery adds just 16 calories.

-American Institute for Cancer Research

Charlyn Fargo is a dietitian at www.creators.com