> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.foodconsumer.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Alzheimer's disease linked to depression, diabetes and high blood pressure
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/alzheimer_s_disease_linked_to_depression_diabetes_0724110922/
- Published: 2011-07-24T09:48:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T15:53:02.000Z
- Description: A Lancet Neurology study led by Deborah Barnes found physical inactivity, depression, smoking, mid-life hypertension and obesity, low education and diabetes may account for up to 54 percent of US Alzheimer's cases. Barnes cautioned that the study does not prove these factors cause it.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Disease, Health News, Alzheimer's, #vivvo-import

By David Liu, Ph.D. and editing by Aimee Keenan-Greene

Sunday July 24, 2011 (foodconsumer.org) -- Nearly half of all Alzheimer's disease cases may be preventable, according to a new study published online on July 19, 2011 in the Lancet Neurology.

The study led by Deborah Barnes, PhD at the University of California, San Francisco and colleagues found, in the U.S. the biggest risk factors associated with the majority of Alzheimer's disease cases are physical inactivity, depression, smoking, mid-life hypertension and obesity, low education, and diabetes.

The researchers found these risk factors may be responsible for up to 54 percent of all Alzheimer's disease cases. Barnes cautioned, further studies are needed to confirm these are valid factors that increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The current does not prove these factors are the causes for the disease.

A health observer suggested so-called risk factors like depression, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity are actually symptoms. What really causes risk of Alzheimer's disease would be what is causing these symptoms or health conditions. 

He suggested the real risk factors should be a person's diet, environmental pollutants such as pesticides, and other lifestyle parameters like physical activity and smoking. 

Previous studies have suggested that what may help Alzheimer's disease include Mediterranean diet, curry, sufficient vitamin D, green tea, cinnamon extract, antioxidants like vitamin E, B vitamins, physical activity, grape seed extract, the red wine compound resveratrol, high intake of omega-3 fatty acids, fruit and vegetables, garlic and turmeric. 

On the other hand, exposure to aluminum pollution, high iron, smoking, sugary drinks, vitamin d deficiency and anti-psychotic drugs may boost the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

The health observer said he agreed, the majority of Alzheimer's disease can be prevented but only through adjusting lifestyle parameters. Treating health conditions like depression, high blood pressure, and diabetes may or may not help prevent the disease.

Alzheimer's disease affects an estimated five millions of Americans, according to the U.S. government. There is no cure for the disease. The medical community is trying to develop tools to diagnose and treat the disease earlier.

For more information on Alzheimer's disease, read [here](https://www.foodconsumer.org/alzheimer%5Fs%5Fdisease%5F0724110930/).