The 3 Foods A Neuroscientist Says To Eat Daily To Prevent Alzheimer's

Although there may not be one specific diet you should follow, there are definitely some foods you may want to consider adding to your current routine. Here are three that I, as a neuroscientist, try to eat daily:

This powerful green is loaded with vitamins and nutrients to boost any diet. Just half a cup of spinach (sauteed or boiled) contains 131 mcg folate (1 cup of raw spinach contains 58 mcg of folate). A study in France3 found that increased folate intake was strongly associated with a lower risk of dementia later in life. If spinach isn't your thing, you can also try Brussels sprouts or avocado. They aren't as rich in folate (78 mcg in ½ cup of Brussels sprouts and 59 mcg in ½ avocado), but every little bit counts!

A key ingredient in the Mediterranean diet, salmon is a significant source of both omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12. Several studies show that the Mediterranean diet4 may be key to reducing the risk of cognitive impairment, specifically Alzheimer's. One component of this diet that may be responsible for the reduced risk is omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is an excellent source of these, with anywhere from 500 to 1,500 mg of omega-3s in a 3-ounce serving. In addition, the ample vitamin B12 (4.8 mcg per 3 ounces) in salmon, which when taken along with folate, may be important in the prevention of Alzheimer's5 (hint: Try salmon and spinach together!).

Fermented foods come in a variety of forms (pickles, kefir, kimchi, yogurt, tofu, etc.), but the point here is to increase your probiotic intake. Probiotics are bacteria that help to increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in your gut. You can find these in supplement form, or naturally in fermented foods. There is some research to suggest that altering the gut microbiome may slow the progression of Alzheimer's, as well as have an effect on cognitive function and some biomarkers of stress6 related to Alzheimer's.