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Review
. 2025 May 26;17(11):1804.
doi: 10.3390/nu17111804.

A Narrative Review Evaluating Diet and Exercise as Complementary Medicine for the Management of Alzheimer's Disease

Amanda N Szabo-Reed  1   2 , Mickeal N Key  1   3
Affiliations
Review

A Narrative Review Evaluating Diet and Exercise as Complementary Medicine for the Management of Alzheimer's Disease

Amanda N Szabo-Reed et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is characterized by complex brain alterations leading to progressive cognitive decline and neuropsychiatric disturbances. This narrative review explores these changes and the potential of diet and exercise as modifiable lifestyle factors to mitigate AD's impact. While some dietary components (e.g., B vitamins, ketogenic diet) and physical activity, particularly aerobic exercise, show promise for improving cognitive function and managing symptoms, evidence for consistent benefits remains limited and requires further investigation. Dietary and exercise research in AD faces significant limitations, including intervention complexity, study design challenges, disease heterogeneity, and difficulties in measuring long-term effects. Addressing these limitations is crucial to fully realize the therapeutic potential of these lifestyle interventions in combating AD.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; brain function; brain health; cognition; diet; exercise; nutrition; physical activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Brain changes in Alzheimer’s Disease.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Impact of dietary interventions on managing Alzheimer’s Disease.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Unveiling exercises multifaceted impact on AD.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Comparison of interventions for Alzheimer’s Disease.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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