The Alzheimer's Prevention Cookbook

July 16, 2012
Geriatric neurologist Sabbagh (The Alzheimer’s Answer), of Banner Sun Health Research Institute, and celebrity chef MacMillan of Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain resort, both in Arizona, present an easily digestible compendium of brain science and nutrition, along with Mediterranean diet–based recipes for main dishes, sides, condiments, dressings, snacks, and beverages to sharpen the mind and excite the taste buds. According to Sabbagh, supplements cannot efficiently deliver nutrients to the brain, while daily doses of such nutritional powerhouses as fish, green tea, cinnamon, turmeric, and berries can offset the contribution of genes and diabetes to Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Not an eating program per se, Sabbagh’s food philosophy eschews calorie counts, food pyramids, and meal plans. Most recipes call for staple ingredients (e.g., spinach, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, lentils, beans) with a few unusual flourishes like Japanese yuzu, the root vegetable salsify, and Korean pickled vegetables (kimchi). All of the nearly 100 recipes can be made without straining tight schedules, and filling vegetarian selections balance the many meat options in the collection. The volume lacks a dedicated dessert section, but MacMillan’s breakfast fruit parfaits with minted yogurt and the spicy pear/frozen yogurt smoothie can serve as fine caps for his hearty main courses.