(BPT) - National Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month presents an opportunity not only to shine a spotlight on cognitive issues but also to check on progress toward wellness goals. Simple dietary adjustments can help keep goals on track, and savvy shopping and easy ingredient swaps can improve overall health while boosting cognitive health — and olive oil is a key component. Olive oil has long been known as a heart-healthy oil, and it claims a central role in the Mediterranean diet, which many studies also suggest may be associated with better brain health.
Olive oil shows promise Research indicates that regular intake of olive oil may improve cognitive functioning and reduce cognitive decline when incorporated into a healthy diet. At the same time, findings show potential for olive oil to lower an individual’s susceptibility, over time, to degenerative cognitive conditions or dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Worldwide, more than 55 million people live with dementia, which impacts memory, reasoning and, eventually, the ability to care for oneself.
This age-related illness has no cure, and limited treatments are available to help symptoms and progression. The National Institute on Aging notes that Alzheimer’s disease can be caused by “a combination of age-related changes in the brain, along with genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors,” resulting in a complex disease that will likely require treatments aimed at multiple causes. Plus, changes in the brai.
