Nutrition for dementia

General description of the disease

 

Dementia is a syndrome characterized by an acquired decrease in intelligence and impaired social adaptation of the patient (decreased ability for professional activity, self-care) and develops as a result of brain damage.

A decrease in intelligence is manifested in such disorders as: a disorder of cognitive functions (attention, speech, memory, gnosisapraxis), the ability to make decisions and plan, control actions. This disease is inherent in the elderly, since by this age the development of vascular and degenerative diseases is observed, age-related atrophic changes in the brain appear.

Prerequisites for the development of dementia:

Various diseases that provoke multifocal or diffuse damage to the subcortical and cortical parts of the brain (cerebrovascular disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, vascular dementia, alcoholic dementia, brain tumors, Pick’s disease (frontotemporal dementia), normotensive hydrocephalus, dysmetabolic encephalus, Alzheimer’s, post-traumatic encephalopathy, stroke).

Often, the cause of dementia is an increase in the level of cholesterol in the vessels of the brain, which is provoked by overweight, smoking, insufficient physical activity, overeating, the use of saturated milk and animal fats, and easily digestible carbohydrates.

 

Early signs of dementia:

Decreased initiative, physical, intellectual, social activity, weakened interest in the environment, the desire to shift responsibility for decision-making to others, increased dependence on others, increased sleepiness, decreased attention during conversations, increased anxiety, depressed mood, self-isolation, limited social circle.

Dementia symptoms:

Forgetfulness, problems with orientation, difficulty predicting and planning when performing normal activities, thought disorders, changes in behavior and character traits, excessive agitation, anxiety at night, suspicion or aggressiveness, difficulty in recognizing friends and family, difficulty in getting around.

Healthy foods for dementia

  • Foods that lower cholesterol levels: natural dry red wine (in small quantities and with meals), almonds, avocados, barley, legumes, lentils, blueberries, oats, vegetable oil (corn, sunflower, linseed).
  • Some scientists believe that the Mediterranean diet significantly reduces the risk of dementia. Her diet includes: a small amount of meat products and meat, olive oil, a lot of vegetables, nuts, fruits and fish (tuna, salmon).
  • Foods with a low level of “bad” cholesterol: dairy products (for example, kefir), lean meats, poultry, lean fish (pike perch, hake, cod, pike, perch), seafood (shrimp, squid, seaweed), sauerkraut , rutabagas, spices (curcumin, saffron, sage, cinnamon, lemon balm).
  • According to the latest scientific studies, caffeine also helps to “break down” the plaque of cholesterol in the blood vessels of the brain.

Dishes should be steamed, boiled, baked or simmered with a minimum amount of salt. Food should be taken in small portions without overeating at night. Drink plenty of clean water (at least 30 ml per kg of body weight).

Folk remedies for dementia

  • aromatherapy – lemon balm oil and lavender oil are used (for example, in aroma lamps or in massages);
  • music therapy – classical music and “white noise” (noise of rain, surf, sounds of nature);
  • fresh cranberry juice;
  • sage broth.

Dangerous and unhealthy foods for dementia

To prevent dementia and its development, you should avoid eating foods that contain cholesterol. These include: animal fats (poultry skin, margarine, lard), egg yolk, animal entrails (kidneys, brains, liver), cheese, sour cream, milk, concentrated broths, bone broths, mayonnaise, pastries, cakes, white bread , sugar.

Attention!

The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!

Nutrition for other diseases:

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