(August 11, 2009 - Insidermedicine) Elderly individuals can help stave off Alzheimer's disease by staying physically active and sticking to a Mediterranean-style diet, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The main components of a Mediterranean-style diet are:

•    High consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, and fish

•    Lower consumption of meat and dairy products;

•    Consuming a higher ratio of monounsaturated fats to saturated fats and mild to moderate alcohol consumption.

Researchers from Columbia University Medical Center assessed the physical activity levels and degree of adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet among nearly 2,000 elderly individuals without dementia. They also conducted neurological and neuropsychological tests to look for signs of cognitive decline.

Over an average follow-up period of 5 years, nearly 300 participants developed Alzheimer's. Those who were the most active and stuck closest to the Mediterranean-style diet were least likely to develop the condition. In fact, they were 35 to 44% less likely to develop Alzheimer's compared to those who were least physically active and whose diets least resembled a Mediterranean diet.

Today's research demonstrates just how important a role both diet and physical activity play in staving off Alzheimer's disease among the elderly.

For Insidermedicine In Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.