In fact, "combined data from 275 studies found weak evidence of a benefit, not enough to warrant government recommendations that people change their habits to lessen the risk for the illness, a panel advising the National Institutes of Health said in a statement. The findings accompanied ananalysis of research on cognitive decline" published online June 15 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Time (6/14, Park) reported, "To clarify the state of the current evidence and offer physicians clearer treatment guidelines, the National Institutes of Health...in early 2009 commissioned a detailed analysis of existing studies: 165 papers published between 1984 and 2009." For years, "data have associated behaviors, such as keeping the mind actively engaged throughout life, staying physically active, eating certain foods and supplementing the diet with specific vitamins and nutrients with lower rates of dementia in old age." However, researchers "found that there was not sufficient evidence to recommend any single activity or factor that was protective of cognitive decline later in life."

Related Links:

- Alzheimer's Risk May Not Improve With Exercise, Healthy Food, Panel Says," Nicole Ostrow, Bloomberg News, June 14, 2010.

- Study: Lifestyle May Not Prevent Alzheimer's
," Alice Park, Time, June 14, 2010.