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The Mediterranean diet which also includes eating a variety of fruit and vegetables as well as oily fish, such as salmon and mackerel, is thought to be beneficial because it's high in antioxidants
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Many people adopt a vegetarian diet to improve their health. However, new research suggests that eliminating meat and fish from your diet in later life may increase the risk of certain conditions, such as dementia. Scientists at Loma Linda University Health in California discovered that vegetarian diets tend to lower disease risk for middle-aged individuals. But for people over the age of 65, the opposite may be true. The study found slightly higher risks of stroke, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease among elderly vegetarians. However, adding fish to the diet significantly reduced these risks and was linked to the lowest risk of death overall.
Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in August, the study analyzed dietary data from 88,000 individuals aged 30 to 85. The participants were recruited between 2002 and 2007 and were followed up in 2015. The data also included records of 12,500 deaths.
Participants were divided into five diet categories: non-vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian (vegetarians who eat fish), lacto-ovo-vegetarian (those who consume dairy and eggs), and vegan.
The study found slightly higher risks of stroke, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease among elderly vegetarians
Overall, vegetarians had a 12% lower risk of death compared to non-vegetarians. However, pesco-vegetarians had an 18% lower risk of death. Adding dairy and eggs to a vegetarian diet further reduced the risk of death by 15%, while vegans, who consume no animal products, had only a 3% decreased risk of death.
Though vegetarian diets appeared to offer protection for middle-aged individuals, those in their 80s did not experience as much of a benefit. Professor Gary Fraser, the study's principal investigator, suggested that vegetarians in their 80s might face an increased risk of neurological conditions due to the lack of vital nutrients—such as fatty acids—that are more commonly found in fish.
The Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and oily fish like salmon and mackerel, is believed to be beneficial due to its high levels of antioxidants. The Alzheimer's Society suggests that this diet may help protect brain cells from damage associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Omega-3 fatty acids, abundant in oily fish, are crucial for brain health throughout life. Omega-3 is known to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. While eggs, nuts, seeds, and walnuts also contain omega-3, the levels are much lower than those found in oily fish, according to the British Dietetic Association.
For those looking to support brain health and longevity, incorporating fish into a primarily vegetarian diet may offer the best chance of living a longer, healthier life.
Source: Health Agencies
