The brain and the spinal cord are complex organs in the human body, making up the central nervous system responsible for various bodily functions including the body movement, memories, intelligence, senses and behavioral control. Neurodegenerative disorder occurs when the cells of this system (also known as neurons) lose their function. When this happens, there is no cure and it will get worse over time, affecting the social, mental and physical wellbeing of the patients. Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease can be due to various reasons including aging, tumor, stroke, certain virus or toxins, alcohol abuse et cetera. To date, there is no cure or therapy that can slow down the progression of this disease, and treatment mainly only helps to reduce some symptoms of the disease.
大脑和脊髓是人体复杂的器官。它们构成中枢神经系统，负责身体各种功能，包括行动、记忆、智力、感觉和行为控制。当中枢神经系统的细胞（也称为神经元）失去功能时，就会发生神经退化性疾病。当这种情况发生时是无法治愈的，并且会随着时间的推移而恶化，从而影响患者的社交、心理和身体健康。神经退化性疾病如阿尔兹海默症和帕金森氏症可以由多种原因引起，包括衰老、肿瘤、中风、某些病毒或毒素、酒精滥用等。迄今为止，尚无可以减缓这种疾病进展的治愈方法或疗法。治疗主要是减轻疾病的一些症状。
How about dietary intake? Can it assist in delaying the progression of the disorder? Currently, research on this topic is still ongoing, and so far, there is no evidence that consumption or avoidance of certain food can prevent any age-related cognitive decline. However, some studies show that the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet may be potentially protective and beneficial in reducing risk of cognitive decline. The MIND diet, which combines the traditional Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, generally focuses on consumption of plant-based foods, with emphasis on berries and leafy greens, and limiting animal-based and high saturated or hydrogenated fat food.
那么饮食能否帮助延缓神经退化性疾病的进展吗？目前，关于该主题的研究仍在进行中。到目前为止，还没有证据表明食用或避免某些食物可以预防任何与年龄相关的认知能力下降。
Precisely, the components of MIND diet include:
具体来说，MIND饮食的成分包括：
- Consumption of 10 brain-healthy foods, which are: green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, wholegrains, fish, poultry, olive oil, and wine.
食用10种有益大脑的食物，它们是：绿叶蔬菜、其他蔬菜、坚果、浆果、全谷类、鱼、家禽、橄榄油和葡萄酒。
2. Avoidance of 5 unhealthy food groups, which are: red meats, butter and stick margarine, cheese, pastries and sweets, and fried food or fast food.
避免食用5种不健康的食物，即：红肉、黄油和人造黄油、奶酪、糕点和糖果、油炸食品或快餐。
The recommended serving size are as below:
建议食用量如下：
- Whole grain: At least 3 servings daily
全谷类：每日至少3份
- Leafy greens: At least 6 servings weekly
绿叶蔬菜：每周至少6份
- Other vegetables: At least 1 serving daily
其他蔬菜：每日至少1份
- Berries: At least 2 servings weekly
浆果：每周至少2份
- Fish: 1 or more servings weekly
鱼：每周1份或更多
- Poultry: 2 or more servings weekly
家禽：每周2份或更多
- Beans: More than 3 servings weekly
豆类：每周超过3份
- Nuts: 5 or more servings weekly
坚果：每周5份或更多
- Olive oil as main source of fat
橄榄油作为主要脂肪来源
- Wine: Allows 1 serving daily
葡萄酒：每日允许1份
The serving size of the unhealthy food sources are as below:
不健康食物来源的分量如下：
- Red meat and its products: Less than 4 servings weekly
红肉及其制品：每周少于4份
- Fast food and fried food: Less than 1 serving weekly
快餐和油炸食品：每周少于1份
- Butter or stick margarine: Less than 1 teaspoon daily
黄油或人造黄油：每日少于1茶匙
- Cheese: Less than 1 serving weekly
奶酪：每周少于1份
- Pastries and sweets: Less than 5 servings weekly
糕点和糖果：每周少于5份
While the research on the effect of diet towards cognitive decline is still sparse, the MIND diet contains nutrients that have been linked to brain health such as antioxidants, vitamin E, vitamin B, omega 3 fatty acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, and magnesium. A few studies show that limiting saturated and hydrogenated fats along with increment of antioxidant and vitamin B intake is associated with reduction of the rate of cognitive decline. On the other hand, research shows that overall fruit consumption does not seem to have a protective effect on cognition, while berries specifically might slow cognitive decline. Multiple studies have found that vegetables, particularly of green leafy types may be beneficial in lowering the rate of cognitive decline.
虽然饮食对认知能力下降的影响的研究仍然很少，但是MIND饮食含有与大脑健康相关的营养素，如抗氧化剂、维生素E、维生素B、ω-3脂肪酸、类胡萝卜素、黄酮类化合物和镁。一些研究表明，限制饱和脂肪及氢化脂肪，增加抗氧化剂和维生素B的摄入量，与降低认知能力下降的速度有关。另一方面，研究还表明，总体水果的摄入量似乎对认知能力没有起到保护的作用，而浆果则可以减缓认知能力的下降。多项研究好发现，蔬菜，尤其是绿叶蔬菜，可能有助于降低认知能力下降的速度。
All in all, so far, there is no treatment nor dietary modification that can treat, reverse or reduce the rate of neurodegenerative disease. However, while research is still under way on this topic, some dietary changes might be helpful and protective against cognitive decline.
总而言之，到目前为止，还没有任何治疗方法或饮食调整可以治疗、逆转或降低神经退化性疾病的发病率。然而，虽然关于这个主题的研究还在持续进行中，但一些饮食变化可能有助于防止认知能力下降。
