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7 Brain Boosting Foods That Can Help Dementia Patients

Whoever thought that dementia was a by-product of genetic disruptions needs more information. Research has suggested that dementia patients is triggered by multiple factors that include the environment, genetic makeup, lifestyle, and certain health conditions like diabetes, heart ailments, blood pressure, and obesity.

Let’s focus on lifestyle and understand how food and nutrition significantly boost your brain power and help manage dementia more effectively.

Seven Power Foods That Help Dementia Patients

1. The Greens: Green leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, fenugreek, etc are rich in vitamins such as folate and B9. These vitamins are essential for reducing depression and enhance cognition. A useful tip that most nutritionists give is that you can add these green leafy vegetables to soups and curries, sauces, etc if you prefer to avoid them raw as a salad.

2. Nuts: Add Walnuts, almonds, cashews, and peanuts to your diet, as they are full of magnesium, and vitamins E and B which help increase cognitive abilities in people and contain the signs of dementia. Studies have proven that elderly women who eat 5 servings of nuts in a week are more likely to enjoy better mental health than women who don’t. Other studies show that walnuts can reduce inflammation in the brain.

3. Cruciferous Veggies: Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and sprouts are loaded with B vitamins and carotenoids that reduce the levels of a certain amino acid in the body that is associated with the decline of brain activity and dementia. These veggies are best enjoyed sauteed in garlic and oil or by adding them to pastas and soups.

4. Very Berries: Berries like blueberries, raspberries, and cherries contain a flavonoid that hinders the progression of brain deterioration caused by free radicals in the body. The berries are also packed with antioxidants and vitamins that decrease inflammation in the body.

5. Omega-3s: Omega-3s with DHA are high in foods like olive oil, flaxseeds, and fatty fish and they help the brain function healthily. Research has proved that omega-3s are great at fighting and preventing dementia. Although the recommended dosage of DHA for normal adults is 80 mg, doctors and nutritionists advise dementia patients to consume 200mg. However, it is best to consult a doctor or nutritionist before deciding on the dosage.

6. Spices: Spices such as cumin, sage, and cinnamon not only enhance the flavor of your food but also contain polyphenols. These compounds have multiple advantages when it comes to boosting memory, and brain health. They help by eating away the plaque in the brain and decreasing inflammation to reduce cognitive decline. So how about spicing up your kitchen and life?

7. Seeds: Seeds plant good brain health as they are rich in vitamin E, omega-3s, and choline which help decrease cognitive deterioration. Snacking on seeds like sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, and pumpkin seeds or using them in salads or desserts can be a very good way to enhance brain functionality and contain dementia.

Foods That Increase the Risk of Dementia

The above are the foods that help dementia patients but nutritionists recommend keeping certain foods at bay as they have been found to trigger signs of the condition or increase the risk.

These include too much intake of red meat, processed meat, refined grains, sweets, and desserts, excessive consumption of alcohol, saturated fatty acids, and all foods that are very high in calories.

If you or your loved one are grappling with signs of dementia then modifying the diet can be a game changer. However, the best bet would be to approach a dietitian or a nutritionist who would be able to guide with the best foods suited to individuals for fighting the health condition.

Here’s an extra bit of help. Along with food, lifestyle also includes certain physical and mental exercises, medication, and discipline that may be a bit of a challenge to follow individually at home. Sukino Healthcare has specially equipped advanced facilities in Bengaluru and Kochi to help people with dementia and manage the condition effectively.

For consultation, call on 7676299000 or visit www.sukino.com