That's an interesting finding. I wonder if the same effect could be
seen on formation of amyloid in the pancreas. Note though that the
article's claim that LC "could curb Alzheimer's" should be interpreted
as being extremely tentative.

i

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20051018/hl_hsn/highfatlowcarbdietcouldcurbalzheimers

http://tinyurl.com/8shdv

High-Fat, Low-Carb Diet Could Curb Alzheimer's

Mon Oct 17,11:47 PM ET

MONDAY, Oct. 17 (HealthDay News) -- A high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet
appeared to improve the condition of mice with a rodent form of
Alzheimer's disease, researchers report.

The study found this diet reduced levels of the brain protein
amyloid-beta, an indicator of Alzheimer's disease. The finding
contradicts previous studies that concluded that fat has a negative
impact on Alzheimer's disease.

"This work supports the premise that key aspects of Alzheimer's
disease can be altered by changes in metabolism. It also highlights
the interaction of dietary components and how such components
influence the metabolic state," the researchers wrote.

The study was led by Samuel Henderson, a researcher with the
Colorado-based pharmaceutical company Accera Inc. Henderson's team
also included researchers in Belgium.

The researchers believe insulin and a related hormone, insulin-related
growth factor-1 (IGF-1), are major factors in how diet may affect
Alzheimer's disease.

"Insulin is often considered a storage hormone, since it promotes
deposition of fat but insulin may also work to encourage amyloid-beta
production," the authors noted.

The findings appear in the current issue of Nutrition and Metabolism.

More information

The U.S. National Institutes of Health has more about Alzheimer's
disease prevention.