As more research is done regarding Alzheimer’s, there is mounting proof of the idea that people are what they eat. Seniors are often reminded to eat a healthy diet to keep their bodies strong, yet there’s also a connection between what seniors eat and their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. There’s still no cure for this condition, but these links between diet and Alzheimer’s make it clear that making healthy changes to your senior loved one’s eating habits could impact his or her cognitive health.
1. High-Sugar Diets Lead to Faster Cognitive Decline
For some reason, seniors with diabetes are more likely to develop problems with their memory and reasoning abilities. Your loved one may also be at risk for these issues if he or she hasn’t been diagnosed with diabetes but still eats a high-sugar diet. Too much sugar in the bloodstream can impact how the brain is able to function, and severe fluctuations in blood sugar tend to create symptoms such as confusion and foggy thinking.
If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, help is just a phone call away. There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading home care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
2. Fatty Foods Can Restrict Blood Flow to the Brain
Fried foods might taste good, but they could cause your loved one to ultimately pay the price in decreased memory. Over time, a high-fat diet can lead to cardiovascular problems, such as narrowed arteries. When blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body is restricted, the brain is impacted. Seniors should try to switch to less fatty cooking methods, such as baking their food rather than frying it. An air fryer is an option that can give food that special crunch without having to use oils or fat.
3. Eating a Lot of Processed Foods Increases the Risk of Alzheimer’s
Microwave dinners, boxed meals, and snack foods might all be easy for seniors to grab and eat when they’re too tired to cook. However, these foods are full of ingredients that can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. Seniors may need help preparing meals that use fresh foods, but the effort is worth it when they avoid overloading themselves with carbs and nitrites, which can contribute to cognitive decline.
If your loved one needs help preparing nutritious meals, a home caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. In Huntsville, elderly home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
4. Too Much Salt Increases the Severity of Symptoms
Many processed foods also contain large amounts of sodium. Salt impacts the brain in several ways. First, it’s associated with high blood pressure, which restricts blood flow to the brain. Second, too much salt can lead to dehydration. The brain is mostly made of water, and seniors who get dehydrated can feel confused and disoriented. Seniors can look for food that’s low in salt, and they can use fresh herbs for seasoning.
5. Superfoods Increase Brain Health
While it may seem as though there’s a long list of things seniors cannot eat, the good news is there are far more things they can. Superfoods such as blueberries, walnuts, and avocados are all delicious, and they can increase your loved one’s brain health by providing the nutrients he or she needs to think clearly.
Without the right assistance, Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors and their families to handle. If you’re looking for professional Alzheimer’s care, Huntsville Home Care Assistance provides high-quality care aging adults and their families can count on. All of our hourly and live-in caregivers are trained to help seniors with Alzheimer’s live happier and healthier lives, and we also provide specialized dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. If you need professional home care for your loved one, reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (256) 716-9940.