Alzheimer's disease and nutrition.

Weight loss is a nutritional problem commonly associated with Alzheimer dis ease. Two types of weight loss have been described. A severe weight loss co rrelated with a decrease in daily caloric intake and with increased difficu lties in performing the activities of daily living. A slowly progressive bu t clinically significant loss, not associated with either a decrease in cal oric intake or an inflammatory syndrome. It is difficult to explain this ty pe of weight loss as subjects have adequat caloric intakes. Several hypothe sis are however considered as increased energy requirements (which can resu lt from increased energy expenditure, from increased metabolic disorder, or from increased growth hormon secretion), or mesial temporal cortex atrophy But, at the present time, no study can give a proper explanation. Vitamin deficiencies, specially Vitamin B6, B12 and folates, high homocyste ine level, antioxidants deficiencies (especially, vitamin E deficiency), ir on, counter, and phenol derived could also influence the memory capacities and have an effect upon cognitive impairment, as reported in epidemiologica l studies. The prevention of nutritional deficiencies in patients with Alzh eimer's disease, could be one of the strategies to improve the caregiver an d the patients quality of life.