Nutraceuticals: a novel concept in prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

Alzheimer's disease is a growing health problem worldwide. The pharmaceutical industry has not recently developed any new drugs that have had a significant impact on the natural history of the disease, so considerable attention has been given to nutraceuticals and nutritional bioactive compounds that can be obtained directly from diet or supplementation. These compounds may be able to modify physiopathological processes responsible for neurodegeneration and/or to have pro-cognitive properties. Here, we review current knowledge on the role of diet modifications, lipid and carbohydrates consumption, vitamin supplementation, and the possible effects of antioxidant and nutraceutical compounds with neuroprotective activity, in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.