LipiDiDiet https://lipididiet.eu Wed, 08 Nov 2023 14:28:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://lipididiet.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/LipiDiDiet_favicon.png LipiDiDiet https://lipididiet.eu 32 32 10.03.2016, Two-year, EU-funded study reveals a medical food in the form of a daily nutritional drink can help to conserve memory, the ability to think and perform everyday tasks, as well as reduce brain shrinkage in people with Prodromal Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) https://lipididiet.eu/10-03-2016-two-year-eu-funded-study-reveals-a-medical-food-in-the-form-of-a-daily-nutritional-drink-can-help-to-conserve-memory-the-ability-to-think-and-perform-everyday-tasks-as-well-as-reduce-br/ Thu, 10 Mar 2016 13:17:03 +0000 https://lipididiet.org/?p=108

Topline-results of the first randomised clinical trial in the world to investigate the effects of a nutritional intervention in prodromal AD

Topline results from the European LipiDiDiet clinical trial were presented today as part of a late-breaking presentation at the Advances in Alzheimer’s Therapy (AAT) congress. They showed that in people with prodromal AD (the pre-dementia stage of AD), a once-daily nutritional drink* designated a “food for special medical purposes” can help to reduce brain shrinkage – particularly in the hippocampal brain area, the part of the brain that helps store short-term memories for long-term retrieval. And for those who start the intervention early and consumed it regularly, it can help to conserve memory and the ability to think and perform everyday tasks. The drink contains “Fortasyn Connect”, a specific combination of fatty acids, vitamins and other nutrients.

This is the first time a randomised, double-blind, clinical trial has shown that a nutritional intervention can help to conserve the ability of prodromal AD patients to carry out everyday tasks, such as paying bills, or finding your way around, as measured by the Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) – a combined measure for the ability to think and perform everyday tasks. This is important because those with prodromal AD currently have no approved, available pharmacological options.

The study did not find a significant benefit in broad cognitive function (the study primary endpoint). Cognitive decline over the study period was less than originally expected when it was designed ten years ago, so differences found between the two groups were too small to be statistically significant. Project coordinator Professor Tobias Hartmann, Saarland University Germany, explained that this is the most likely reason the primary endpoint was not met.

Professor Hilkka Soininen, Professor in Neurology MD, PhD from the University of Eastern Finland, who headed the clinical trial as part of the LipiDiDiet project, said: “Today’s results are extremely valuable as they bring us closer to understanding the impact of nutritional interventions on prodromal AD which we are now better at diagnosing but unable to treat due to a lack of approved pharmaceutical options.

The LipiDiDiet study illustrates that this nutritional intervention can help to conserve brain tissue and also memory and patients’ ability to perform everyday tasks – possibly the most troubling aspects of the disease. We look forward to the results of subsequent analyses and the six year extension study which will provide further insights”.

The clinical trial, headed by Professor Hilkka Soininen is part of a large EC project (LipiDiDiet) to explore the therapeutic and preventative impact of nutrition on neuronal and cognitive performance in ageing, AD and vascular dementia. LipiDiDiet is funded by the seventh Framework Programme (FP7) of the European Commission (EC) and coordinated by Professor Hartmann, Saarland University in Germany.

Fortasyn Connect was selected by a consortium of leading researchers from 19 European institutes, for this 24-month, randomised, controlled, double-blind, multicentre study involving 311 patients – on the basis of its results in a previous EU project (LipiDiet).

Nearly 47 million people have Alzheimer’s or a related dementia for which there is currently no cure.2 This number is expected to double every 20 years, reaching 74.7 million in 2030 and 131.5 million in 2050.

Study details

The trial was the first to investigate the impact of Fortasyn Connect on patients with prodromal AD who were randomised to receive either Fortasyn Connect or an iso-caloric control drink once daily.

The primary outcome parameter was selected to assess the effect on cognitive function (a broad measure of thinking) during 24 months intake of Fortasyn Connect compared with a control product. This was a cognitive composite score consisting of the CERAD 10-word immediate recall, delayed recall and recognition, category fluency and letter digit substitution test.

Secondary outcome parameters were brain volumes (total hippocampal, whole-brain & ventricular volumes), the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB), Neuropsychological Test Battery composite scores: episodic memory, executive function/working memory composite and a complete composite score consisting of 16 subtests, progression to (AD) dementia, blood and CSF biomarkers, tolerance and safety.

No significant difference was observed for the cognitive composite score. Predefined analyses showed significant differences between active and control study groups for hippocampal and whole-brain atrophy, and favourable effects for CDR Sum of Boxes and episodic memory (both were most pronounced in patients with high baseline cognition with regular intake). Analyses are ongoing for progression to (AD) dementia and blood and CSF biomarkers.

Tobias Hartmann, the project’s coordinator, said “We have known for a while that diet can reduce the risk of developing dementia. Indeed, certain nutrients have been found to have a neuroprotective effect on the brain. However translating this into an effective intervention hasn’t been easy because single nutrients simply aren’t powerful enough to fight a disease like Alzheimer’s alone. Today’s clinical trial results have shown that the key is combining certain nutrients, in order to increase their effect.

This is exciting because it shows that in the absence of effective drug options, we really have found something that can help slow down some of the most distressing symptoms in prodromal AD; especially in those who started the intervention early. Indeed those patients who have lost the least cognitive function, have the most to gain”.

For further media information or to be put in touch with Professor Soininen or Professor Hartmann, please contact: Vanessa Leon, +44 7904 958 323, vanessa.leon@ketchum.com or Hannah Williams; +44 20 3755 6403, hannah.williams@ketchum.com

About LipiDiDiet
LipiDiDiet is an innovative project whose remit is dementia prevention related research. The initiative benefits from funding provided by the 7th Framework Programme (FP7- 211696) of the European Commission, and follows on from previous projects in the field of dementia. The project’s predecessor, LipiDiet, was incorporated within the 5th EU research programme in 2002.

Since its establishment, evidence has been accumulated to support the hypothesis that certain nutritional molecules are beneficial in reducing disease progression in Alzheimer’s. This stimulated further research which led to the birth of the LipiDiDiet project.

About Fortasyn Connect
Souvenaid is a once a day, 125ml drink, containing Fortasyn® Connect – a combination of nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids, choline, uridine monophosphate, phospholipids, antioxidants and B vitamins. It is a Food for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP), clinically proven for the dietary management of early Alzheimer’s disease. Souvenaid is backed by 16 years of extensive research, based on initial preclinical research by Prof. Kiliaan (Radboud University, the Netherlands), by the LipiDiet project, coordinated by Prof. Hartmann (Saarland University, Germany) and funded by the European Union FP5 research programme and by Prof. Wurtman (formerly at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.S.A) supported principally by the National Institutes of Health.

LipiDiDiet Consortium members
·       Saarland University, Germany
·       University of Eastern Finland
·       University of Szeged, Hungary
·       Tel Aviv University, Israel
·       Stichting Katholieke Universiteit – Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, The Netherlands
·       University of Gothenburg, Sweden
·       Nutricia Research, The Netherlands
·       Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
·       Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic – Institute of Physiology
·       VU University Medical Center, The Netherlands
·       University of Bonn, Germany
·       European Research and Project Office GmbH, Germany
·       Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany
·       University Hospital of Tübingen, Germany
·       Central Institute for Mental Health, Germany
·       University Hospital Regensburg, Germany

References
1.     A Clinical Trial investigating the effects of Fortasyn Connect (Souvenaid) in Prodromal Alzheimer’s Disease: Results of the LipiDiDiet study H. Soininen, P.J. Visser, M. Kivipelto, T. Hartmann for the LipiDiDiet study group (2016), presentation held at 14th International Athens/Springfield Symposium on Advances in Alzheimer Therapy, March 10, 2016
2.     The World Alzheimer Report 2015: ‘The Global Impact of Dementia’. Alzheimers Disease International (ADI). Accessed March 2016 via: www.worldalzreport2015.org

]]> 28.05.2015, Dietary advice in relation to prevention of AD and cognitive impairment https://lipididiet.eu/dietary-advice-in-relation-to-prevention-of-ad-and-cognitive-impairment/ Thu, 28 May 2015 13:47:55 +0000 https://lipididiet.org/?p=114

One of the aims of LIPIDIDIET was to develop a healthy diet index and dietary advice in relation to prevention of AD and cognitive impairment. The CAIDE Healthy Diet Index was developed based on data from a longitudinal population-based study in Finland, Cardiovascular Risk factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE). People who had a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, fibers, fish, unsaturated fats, drank coffee, drank alcohol only moderately, and consumed less meat, saturated fats, and food products with high contents of salt or carbohydrates (e.g. sugar, sweet soft drinks, and candies) were less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

The dietary patterns identified in the CAIDE study as protective against dementia were very similar to general healthy dietary patterns recommended by the National Nutrition Council in Finland or the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO has previously emphasized that a healthy diet can protect against malnutrition in all its forms, as well as chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Results from observational studies in the LIPIDIDIET project also suggest that vitamins B12, E and D are associated with protection against dementia, cognitive impairment and related brain changes. It is important to note that our studies on vitamins focused on their blood levels, not on vitamin intake from diet or from vitamin supplements. While vitamin deficiencies seem to have detrimental effects on the risk of dementia, we cannot make any specific recommendations about vitamin supplements in relation to dementia. A healthy individual with a balanced diet should get the necessary vitamins from dietary components. However, vitamin deficiencies can be common at older ages or in people with diseases affecting the uptake of vitamins from diet. Because vitamin deficiencies are related to a variety of health problems (not just dementia), it is important that vitamin deficiencies are diagnosed during medical check-ups, so that the treating physician can prescribe an adequate vitamin supplementation.

Based on the CAIDE Healthy Diet Index, the Finnish Nutrition and the WHO recommendations, a healthy diet can be achieved by:

  • Eating vegetables, fruits and berries frequently (a minimum of 400-500 g/day, excluding potatoes). This can be done by always including vegetables in meals, eating fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks, and by eating a variety of locally available fruits and vegetables.
  • Eating a diet rich in fibers, for example wholegrain cereals (bread, porridge, pasta, etc.). Products made of refined flour and rich in saturated fat and sugar should be avoided.
  • Concerning dietary fats, saturated fat intake should be decreased in favor of unsaturated fats. Often the amount of saturated, unsaturated and polyunsaturated fat is indicated on the food label. Preferentially food with higher amounts of polyunsaturated fats, especially omega-3 polyunsaturated fat should be chosen. Food with high amounts of saturated fat should be avoided.  For example, vegetable oils should be chosen for cooking and salads instead of animal oil. Boiling, steaming or baking the food are preferable to frying it. Processed foods containing trans-fats should be avoided. Vegetable oil, or vegetable oil based spreads can be used on bread instead of butter. The consumption of foods rich in saturated fats (e.g. high-fat cheese, ice cream, fatty meat) should be limited. If milk is consumed, low fat milk should be preferred over high fat milk.
  • Eating different types of fish at least two times a week (but paying attention to salty fish).
  • Limiting salt consumption (salt intake should be < 5 g/day). According to the WHO, in many countries most of the dietary salt comes from processed foods (e.g. ready meals; processed meats like bacon, ham and salami; cheese and salty snacks) or from food consumed frequently in large amounts (e.g. bread). Salt is also added to food during cooking (e.g. bouillon, stock cubes, soy sauce and fish sauce) or at the table (e.g. table salt). Choosing low-salt products, not adding salt or high-salt sauces to meals, and limiting consumption of salty snacks are ways to reduce salt consumption. Salt can also be replaced by salt-free spices to add more taste to meals.
  • Limiting the consumption of red meat and meat products. Low-fat, low-salt products should be chosen when eating meat. Game meat or organically/pasture grown meat often has a preferential fat composition over that from grain fed animals.
  • Limiting the consumption of food and drinks with high amounts of sugar (e.g. sweets, candies, and beverages with sugar). Fresh fruits and water can replace sugary snacks and beverages.
  • Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.
  • Eating regularly, consuming a variety of healthy food products, learning how to read and understand food product labels, and making sure that energy consumption does not exceed energy expenditure (e.g. avoiding a sedentary lifestyle).
  • A good first start into a self-prepared healthy diet could be a cookery book on Mediterranean diet, rich in vegetables, vegetable oils and fish, but low amounts of meat and milk products including cheese.

These recommendations have been made for healthy adults. They may need to be adjusted according to each person’s situation, particularly if the person suffers from any diseases that can affect nutritional status. An assessment by a doctor and a nutritionist is the best way to find out what a healthy diet should include for someone with health problems affecting nutritional status.
The following plate model from the National Nutrition Council in Finland illustrates a balanced meal. Half of the plate should be vegetables, one quarter potatoes (or rice, pasta, or bread), and one quarter should be meat or fish (or eggs, beans or other non-dairy sources of protein). Fresh fruits and berries can be used for desert. Drinking low-fat milk or water is preferable to beverages with high sugar content.

In summary, results from the LIPIDIDIET project emphasize that unhealthy dietary factors at midlife may increase the risk of developing dementia/AD later in life and have a negative effect on several cognitive domains, whereas healthier dietary choices may act in the reverse manner. The current data suggests that healthy dietary choices at midlife may increase the possibility for brain health later in life. Dementia is a complex condition and multiple factors influence the risk during the life course. Diet is only one piece of the puzzle. A healthy diet should be part of a generally healthy lifestyle including also physical activity, cognitive and social activities, and regular medical check-ups (particularly for persons who have chronic cardiovascular, diabetes, and other conditions). The fact that there are several modifiable risk factors for dementia creates a window of opportunity for prevention.

]]> Articles on the topic on German TV and radio https://lipididiet.eu/articles-on-the-topic-on-german-tv-and-radio/ Thu, 21 May 2015 14:00:00 +0000 https://lipididiet.hosting133754.a2f84.netcup.net/?p=207 https://www.ndr.de/ratgeber/gesundheit/Demenz-Essen-gegen-Vergessen,demenz444.html

]]> 31.03.2015, Successful conclusion for LipiDiDiet consortium https://lipididiet.eu/31-03-2015-successful-conclusion-for-lipididiet-consortium/ Tue, 31 Mar 2015 14:02:00 +0000 https://lipididiet.hosting133754.a2f84.netcup.net/?p=209
Project Final Meeting and 12th International Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Conference
From 18 to 22 March 2015, the 12th International Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Conference (AD/PD) took place in Nice, France.
Renowned for its broad, multidisciplinary approach the conference is aimed at clinical investigators and basic scientists, established investigators as well as young upcoming talents within the field of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other related neurodegenerative diseases.

Since findings in this research area are of high relevance for the LipiDiDiet project, a pre-conference symposium with the title ‘LipiDiDiet – NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTION IN PRODROMAL AD’ was organized by the project coordinator and held on 18 March 2015. The symposium consisting of seven talks presented by members of the LipiDiDiet consortium to a widespread audience focused on the current status of the latest research, developments and treatments in prodromal AD.
Particularly worth mentioning is that one of the talks was given by a young scientist who is part of LipiDiDiet and winner of the this year’s Junior Faculty Award for the AD/PD 2015 conference.

Shortly before the start of the conference, the LipiDiDiet consortium came together from 16 to 17 March 2015 to discuss the scientific progress and project findings achieved during more than six years of successful research and cooperation. LipiDiDiet is a collaborative project that brought together more than 16 universities, hospitals and companies from different European countries, and which has been funded under the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission with nearly 9 million Euros.Your contact:
Prof. Tobias Hartmann
Saarland University
Department of Experimental Neurology
Deutsches Institut für Demenzprävention
66421 Homburg (Germany)
Email

Links:
AD/PD programme
]]> 01.02.2015, The 12th International Conference – AD/PD 2015 https://lipididiet.eu/01-02-2015-the-12th-international-conference-ad-pd-2015/ Sun, 01 Feb 2015 14:04:00 +0000 https://lipididiet.hosting133754.a2f84.netcup.net/?p=211
March 18-22, 2015 Nice, France‏
The 12th International Conference – AD/PD 2015
March 18-22, 2015
Nice, Francewww2.kenes.com/adpd/sci/Pages/ScientificProgram.aspx
]]> 04.08.2014, Results on long-term studies of ageing https://lipididiet.eu/04-08-2014-results-on-long-term-studies-of-ageing/ Mon, 04 Aug 2014 14:06:00 +0000 https://lipididiet.hosting133754.a2f84.netcup.net/?p=213

“A one minute primer to stay cognitively fit based on our epidemiological findings summarized by Deborah Gustafson, University of Gothenburg, Sweden:

In long-term studies of aging conducted in Scandinavia, we have shown that an adult diet high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), vitamin E, fruits and vegetables, and fish is associated with a healthier brain and being free of dementia. We have also shown that overweight and obesity in middle age is associated with dementia in late life. In particular, abdominal obesity (in the mid-region) is associated with dementia. As a person ages, body weight declines, and being overweight has less of an association with dementia risk. Other studies around the world have supported these dietary and overweight and obesity findings.

A good start could be to follow the well-established recommendations for a heart healthy diet, control body weight in accordance with current recommendations for overall health, and keep a good eye on getting enough omega-3 , especially the long chain omega-3 ( fish or fish products).”

These observational studies received considerable press/media attention. A subset of these are highlighted here. “Alzheimermuizen blijven gezonder op een ‘Mediterraan’ dieet” has been featured on the following websites:

 

 

 

Further published articles:

Hormonen uit lichaamsvet werken Alzheimer in de hand – Nieuwsberichten VrouwMC

Hormonen uit lichaamsvet werken Alzheimer in de hand | Nederlandse Ziekte en gezondheid

Hormonen uit lichaamsvet werken Alzheimer in de hand – Care4Cure Interne Geneeskunde

Te dik: drie keer meer kans op ontwikkelen van Alzheimer | GoedGezond

Hormonen uit lichaamsvet verhogen kans op Alzheimer | Nieuws voor diëtisten

GFC Nieuws » Blog Archive » Hormonen uit lichaamsvet werken Alzheimer in de hand

Hormonen uit lichaamsvet werken Alzheimer in de hand – Dietisten Friesland

Gezondheid | Swaip.com

Obesitas Archives – Zorg- en Ziekenhuiskrant

Overgewicht risico voor Alzheimer

Gesundheitsnews für Laien und Experten Gesundheit & Wissenschaft

For health professionals and interested laypersons, we provide an overview of highlighted scientific publications for further information.
]]> 03.07.2014, EIP AHA – Working together for longer healthier lives https://lipididiet.eu/03-07-2014-eip-aha-working-together-for-longer-healthier-lives/ Thu, 03 Jul 2014 14:20:00 +0000 https://lipididiet.hosting133754.a2f84.netcup.net/?p=220

Link to video enclosed!

Please click here to see the video on the EIP youtube channel.

LipiDiDiet is participating in the Action Group A3: Prevention of functional decline and frailty of EIP AHA (Action Plans of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP AHA))

A3 is working towards a validated programme for the prevention of functional decline and frailty (with its first action focused on malnutrition) among older people, supported by tools, networks and information, and reaching at least 1.000 care providers across the EU by 2015.

]]> 17.04.2014, LipiDiDiet coordinating institution “Universitätsklinikum Saarland” in the news https://lipididiet.eu/17-04-2014-lipididiet-coordinating-institution-universitatsklinikum-saarland-in-the-news/ Thu, 17 Apr 2014 14:22:00 +0000 https://lipididiet.hosting133754.a2f84.netcup.net/?p=225

Article in the German business magazine “Wirtschafts Bild”

Full article in”Wirtschafts Bild”, issue 63 >>>

Full version of “Wirtschafts Bild”, issue 63 >>>

 

Find further information on the website of “Universitätsklinikum Saarland” >>>

For the moment information is available in German only.

]]> 18.02.2014, Diet’s impact on Alzheimer’s dementia tested https://lipididiet.eu/18-02-2014-diets-impact-on-alzheimers-dementia-tested/ Tue, 18 Feb 2014 14:23:00 +0000 https://lipididiet.hosting133754.a2f84.netcup.net/?p=230 Article on CommNet

Article by by Thijs Westerbeek on CommNet, please click here >>> to read the full article in English.

]]> 16.01.2014, Die Anti-Alzheimer Diät https://lipididiet.eu/16-01-2014-die-anti-alzheimer-diat/ Thu, 16 Jan 2014 14:25:00 +0000 https://lipididiet.hosting133754.a2f84.netcup.net/?p=232
News article in German Newspaper “Saarbrücker Zeitung” about LipiDiDiet scientist Dr Grimm and his studies at Saarland University.
Download full article in German >>>
]]>