Alzheimers Disease Nutrition

If you or a loved one has Alzheimer's, then proper nutrition is essential. That does not mean that you are restricted to a bland diet. With a few changes, you will be helping your body receive the necessary nutrients needed to be healthy. Over four million Americans have Alzheimer's, and by 2050, it will increase to 16 million. Now is the time to take care of your body. Even if they diagnose you with Alzheimer's, you can still make a healthy diet change.

Proper Nutrition

If you or a loved one has Alzheimer's, then proper nutrition is essential. That does not mean that you are restricted to a bland diet. With a few changes, you will be helping your body receive the necessary nutrients needed to be healthy. You should eat a variety of food from the four basic food groups. Reduce your intake of salt, and choose foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. This means to cut down on the amount of animal products we consume. It is important to cut down on the amount of sugary foods you eat each day. It is important to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. You can still drink alcohol, but do so in moderation.

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

By eating more fruits and vegetables and foods with a high fiber content, you may even help prevent Alzheimer's. These particular foods reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. By eating more fruits and vegetables, you will be stopping free radicals. The antioxidants provided by fruits and vegetables help eliminate free radicals. If your body doesn't receive enough antioxidants, then the damage caused by free radicals are leading the way to Alzheimer's. In older people, their sense of taste and smell weaken with age. When food doesn't taste good, people won't eat and this leads to malnutrition and dehydration. When the body runs low the brain experiences more confusion. This is when we feel stress and feel the inability to cope. The body runs down and sickness attacks more easily.

Antioxidants

If you increase the antioxidants in your diet, not only does it help with Alzheimer's, it can also help prevent cancer. Vitamin E is also beneficial to the Alzheimer's patient. Vitamin E is in vegetable, corn, soybean, safflower oils. It is also in spinach, wheat germ and sunflower seeds. Vitamin C is another beneficial antioxidant and it is in fruits like Cantaloupe, oranges, strawberries, grapefruit, and pineapple. It is in vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, avocados and peppers. The best way to get enough antioxidants is by eating fresh foods, but if you don't get enough, then a supplement will provide what you lack.

Omega-3

Omega-3 or fatty acids is important to everyone's diet and is highly effective in reducing your risk of developing Alzheimer's. It is in all kinds of fish. Omega-3 is great for your brain. It helps your brain to function better in learning and memory. This does not mean you have to eat fish every day. Switch one meal per week to fish and you will be cutting your Alzheimer's risk by 60 percent.

Warding off Alzheimer's

In conclusion, people whose diets are high in cholesterol, saturated fats and empty calories are at a higher risk at developing Alzheimer's. Diets that are high in fiber, fruits and vegetables, helps decrease the risk of Alzheimer's. Eat six to eight small meals a day instead of three big meals. Include an energy drink like Ensure or Boost. By taking those steps now, you can decrease your chances of Alzheimer's. If you already have Alzheimer's, then you may help the deterioration process slow down, by making changes in your diet.

References

• WebMd
• Nutrition Your Brain
• Yale New Haven Nutrition