According to a new study published in the journal Neurology, elderly people who consume a lot of junk food with high levels of trans fats are more likely to experience brain shrinkage linked with Alzheimer's disease than those who consume less trans fats. Additionally, it was found that people with high levels of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids had reduced brain shrinkage. This study is one of the first to specifically measure blood nutrient levels, as opposed to basing conclusions on less precise data like food intake surveys.
The study assessed the blood nutrient levels of 104 healthy people, with an average age of 87, who had few known risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. The research concluded that those with high levels of trans fats in their blood performed poorly in memory and thinking tests, while the people with higher levels of vitamin B, C, D, E, and omega-3 fatty acids, performed well. The researchers then scanned the brains of the participants, and found that those with high vitamin levels had larger brains, and those with high trans fats were prone to brain shrinkage associated with Alzheimer's.
Although dairy and meats contain trace amounts of trans fats, the vast majority of trans fatty acids are formed during the partial hydrogenation of vegetable oil. The food industry relies on trans fats for their extended shelf life and flavor stability. But scientific research has proved that trans fats increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, and now increase the risk of Alzheimer's. All the negative press on trans fats has increased pressure on food manufacturers to reduce or remove trans fats from food products. So, read your labels and maybe think twice about reaching for that candy bar.
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