Positive Effects of Healthy Diet and Nine Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains a major global public health challenge, with existing drug treatments offering limited efficacy and significant side effects. This review systematically explores the scientific principles and clinical potential of nonpharmacological interventions in four key areas: dietary and nutritional strategies, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapies, physical and cognitive training, and gut microbes. Multiple studies have highlighted the multi-target mechanisms of these interventions, including regulation of amyloid β (Aβ) aggregation, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, oxidative stress, cholinergic deficiency, and neuroinflammation. Dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention (MIND) for neurodegenerative Delay diet, along with calorie restriction and intermittent fasting, exhibit neuroprotective effects through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gut microbiota-mediated pathways. TCM therapies, particularly acupuncture, provide holistic benefits by enhancing neurochemical homeostasis and promoting neurogenesis. Physical exercise and cognitive training can further promote cerebrovascular health, synaptic plasticity, and Aβ clearance. These interventions, when combined, constitute a synergistic, multi-pronged strategy for the prevention and management of AD, which aligns with the complex etiology of the disease and provides a promising direction for future research and clinical applications.