Can Malnutrition Be a Cause of Dementia?
It has been suggested that malnutrition may lead to dementia. On the other hand, dementia may be reversed by treating a person's malnutrition and vitamin deficits.
Other People Are Reading
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Identification
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Dementia is a disease that causes the brain to lose normal functioning, causing the sufferer to be disoriented and forgetful. This disease often affects older people, though it has been seen in younger children as well.
Significance
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Malnutrition means that the body does not have the sufficient amounts of nutrients and vitamins. In an article by mental health worker, Esther Dacamay, she states that "vitamin deficiencies including B12, zinc, potassium, selenium and boron were present in most dementia patients."
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Prevention/Solution
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Although dementia due to malnutrition can be preventable and reversible, most causes of dementia are not. You can lower your risk, according to health.google.com, by exercising regularly, watching your diet, and quitting smoking.
Theories/Speculation
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It has been theorized that dementia can be reversed by treating the patient to a nutritious diet and keeping a close eye on their vitamin intake.
Warning
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The symptoms of dementia can also mimic other ailments like depression and even Alzheimer's disease, therefore, people who have the symptoms should be tested for malnutrition in order to diagnose it properly.
Other Causes of Dementia
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Aside from malnutrition, brain injury, infections, and drug and alcohol abuse can cause dementia.
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