Trending News Today: Healthy Diet May Ward off Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia

Two new studies have indicated that special diets may be able to boost brain health and ward off dementia in older adults. Both diets that were examined are rich in plant-based foods, whole grains, beans, nuts, vegetable oils, and fish, which protect brain cells and fight inflammation and oxidation, Kaiser Health News reported. The 2 similar diets were observed to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease between 36% and 53%. These findings may offer older adults a simple, non-invasive way to improve overall health and prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will not be involved with an important decision made by the agency due to a conflict of interest, according to Kaiser Health News. The decision is whether to grant Kentucky a waiver that would require Medicaid enrollees to be employed to be qualified for coverage. This change has been supported by conservative legislators and President Donald Trump. Since Verma’s consulting business helped create the state’s Medicaid overhaul, she will not be allowed to participate in the decision process.

Yesterday, Scott Gottlieb, MD, Trump’s pick to head the FDA, told legislators that his top priority for the agency is to take on the opioid epidemic. Dr Gottlieb said that the opioid crisis is the biggest problem facing the nation and will require the creation of alternative pain medications and substance misuse treatments. Despite criticism over his ties to medical companies, Dr Gottlieb has said he will lead the agency as an impartial and passionate advocate for public health, according to The New York Times.