Updated at: 11/09/2009 5:59 PM

Good Housekeeping: Lowering Alzheimer's Risk

A new study of over 2000 people aged 65 and older shows what you eat could lower your odds for getting Alzheimer's disease by as much as 42%. Not surprisingly, the diet consists of large amounts of fruits and vegetables, fish, and nuts.

"The people in the study were averaging 5 cups of broccoli a month, plus 4 cups of cauliflower or brussels sprouts, along with all the other good things-greens and nuts and so forth," said Toni Hope, of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute.

The diet suggests eating poultry and eggs in moderation, not much red meat and some dairy products only in limited amounts.

The people in the study were also not eating a lot of certain things, such as full-fat daily products like whole milk and regular ice cream," said Hope.

Even if you don't follow this diet to a T, but still eat relatively healthy, you could lower your odds of contracting the disease by 23%

"What's neat about this study is that it also showed that people who weren't doing quite as well, but were still eating a lot of healthy things, were also able to cut their Alzheimer's risk," said Hope.

It's never too late to change your eating habits, but research shows that, since Alzheimer's may actually start decades before memory loss occurs, what you eat in your 30s and 40s may be crucial.