The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee Dr. Neal Barnard: How to Eat to Prevent Alzheimer's and Boost Brain Power
Nov 6, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Neal Barnard, a physician and expert in nutrition-based prevention, reveals how your diet can significantly affect brain health. He uncovers the dangers of saturated fat from dairy and meat, linking them to increased Alzheimer's risk. Dr. Barnard promotes the benefits of plant-based foods, highlighting sources of omega-3s and the power of antioxidants in fruits and veggies. Discover simple habits to enhance memory, including incorporating more colorful produce and adopting a vegan lifestyle to potentially reverse early dementia.
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Saturated Fat Raises Alzheimer’s Risk
- Saturated fat intake strongly predicts Alzheimer's risk, with higher intake linked to a 2–3x greater risk.
- Dairy is the largest contributor to dietary saturated fat, followed by meat.
Skip Coconut Milk And Oil
- Avoid coconut-based milks and oils because they are high in saturated fat and raise bad cholesterol.
- Choose plant milks like soy, rice, hemp, or oat instead of coconut to lower risk.
Heme Iron Can Oxidize And Damage The Brain
- Excess heme iron from red meat and liver floods the body and produces oxidative damage.
- Plant (non-heme) iron is regulated by the body and less likely to cause overload.