Various studies suggest that what we eat significantly affects the aging brain’s ability to think and remember. One study in particular conducted by Swedish researchers in 2011 found that being overweight or obese can increase a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia by 80%.
The team evaluated 8,534 twins from Swedish Twin Registry, age 65 and over, gauging their body mass index (BMI). Out of all the participants, 30% were overweight at the beginning of the research. 350 people have dementia, and 114 had possible dementia.
The MIND Diet
There is one diet, according to the National Institute of Aging, that shows some promising evidence for preventing or delaying dementia symptoms. The MIND (Mediterranean–DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet focuses on plant-based foods linked to dementia prevention. It encourages patients to eat from these healthy food groups:
- Leafy green vegetables, at least 6 servings/week
- Other vegetables, at least 1 serving/day
- Berries, at least 2 servings/week
- Whole grains, at least 3 servings/day
- Fish, 1 serving/week
This diet limits a patient’s intake of red meats, sweets, cheeses, fast/fried meals, and butter/margarine.
How We Can Help
It can get hard for seniors to prepare their meals once they are at a certain age. That is the very reason why we at Angels Homecare offer top-quality senior care in Chicago, Illinois, to ensure that these individuals get the required nutrition and care they need to live happy and healthy lives.
Are you looking for reliable dementia care in Illinois?
Contact our home care agency in Lombard, Illinois, for details about our dementia care programs.
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