Last update:
01-Feb-2021

Dementia, commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease, is a chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that is directly linked to aging. Although the etiology of dementia is not fully understood, it is widely recognized as a multifactorial disease. Dementia is a disease with terrible consequences for patients, the most notable being deprivation of their autonomy and degradation of their quality of life (QoL). Given the grim impact that it has, not only on the lives of individual patients, but also on the whole society, it is necessary to take measures to prevent and, if possible, treat dementia. Various scientific studies show that the Mediterranean diet could contribute to the prevention of dementia. Specifically, this type of diet includes olive oil, fruits, legumes, vegetables and fish. This is a review of the currently available studies documenting the contribution of dietary vitamins and antioxidants to the prevention of dementia. Search was made for recent bibliographic data and scientific papers, mainly from the last five years in medical research databases. Review of the literature showed that through a suitable diet, the intake of vitamins and antioxidants could shield the body against dementia. Unfortunately, a definitive, effective treatment for dementia has not yet been found, and for this reason the intake of vitamins and antioxidants were investigated as a preventive measure against degenerative brain diseases. It is of note that, among all their other responsibilities, health professionals are also responsible for promoting public health, educating their patients on the importance of prevention and motivating them to adopt healthy habits and a quality way of life.

Key words: Alzheimer's disease, Antioxidants, Dementia, Healthy diet prevention, Vitamins.