With spring in full bloom and summer just around the corner, supermarkets and community gardens are flush with fresh fruits and vegetables—asparagus, beets, blueberries, eggplant, kale, spring greens, strawberries, and more. This season, we can all commit to healthy eating—for good reason. Evidence from a multitude of studies suggests that incorporating fresh produce as well as nuts, whole grains, fish (especially those high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon), and monounsaturated fats such as those found in olive oil may help promote brain health.
Studies show that these foods reduce levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) or "bad cholesterol." This, in turn, decreases the buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the inner walls of our arteries, lowering the risk for vascular dementia and stroke as well as high blood pressure and heart disease. Science also shows that substances called phytochemicals and antioxidants, found in fruits and vegetables, may provide neuroprotective effects and slow the progression of neurodegeneration.
In our feature called "Brain Food," we asked neurologists and nutrition specialists to weigh in on several specialized diets, including the Mediterranean and MIND (Mediterranean-Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diets as well as the ketogenic diet—and tell us which are supported by compelling evidence—and which are not.
MasterChef winner Christine Ha, the subject of our cover feature, "A Recipe for Life," has made healthy cooking her life's work. Ha lost her eyesight to neuromyelitis optica, an autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system, but found a way forward through her passion for cooking. I watched Season 3 in awe as Ha surpassed the other culinary contestants all the way to the finale with her talent, determination, grace, and exceptional taste buds.
We hope you enjoy these features, as well as other stories on how neurologic disease affects women, how precision medicine is altering the landscape of neurologic treatments, and who won the 2017 Neuro Film Festival. Also check out our Speak Up essay and Pictures of You interview for more stories about readers. To share your own journey with us, please write to NeurologyNow@wolterskluwer.com.
And for those of you who want to start or continue on a healthy eating path, please look for Ha's Mediterranean-style recipes.
Best wishes,
Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN
Editor-in-Chief
