There are some specific foods that can boost the quality of life and thus, bring a ray of hope for people suffering from Alzheimer’s and other diseases triggering dementia. There’s no denying the fact that eating is a pleasant act, which usually improves the quality of life for all. However, some specific foods are believed to improve brain health, which is why they are usually called the ideal foods for people with Alzheimer’s. Coconut oil features prominently on this list for being the most promising food. Turmeric comes a close second, not just due to its anti inflammatory properties, but also because it’s capable of passing through the brain-blood barrier to deliver nutrients to the brain directly. It’s possible that dementia’s cure is found eventually in the food we consume. So, we think it’s the ideal time to focus more on some foods and considering the do’s and don’ts of recipes useful for those with Alzheimer’s.
Turmeric – hailed for its healing properties
From “super spice” to “super food” – turmeric has been given many names. As an anti-inflammatory agent and a pain reliever, it often performs better than drugs such as ibuprofen. It’s even effective in reducing your cholesterol level and protecting your cardiovascular system. Some evidence also show it having anticancer effects. And its biggest advantage is offering all these benefits without the well-documented side effects of several pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs. According to recent research, brain inflammation has been revealed to be a probable trigger of Alzheimer’s, which makes turmeric a convincing aspirant for further study in the battle against this disease.
Recipes for Alzheimer’s – things to remember while creating them
The first and foremost step is to always discuss with your doctor before you bring any drastic changes to your diet.
Before we talk about the recipes, we’ve certain recommendations. Whenever possible, use fresh and organic ingredients. That’s because there’s less probability of organic food containing preservatives and chemical pesticides, which are commonly found in case of “traditionally grown” foods. In addition, fresh and ripe foods that are grown locally are more likely to have increased levels of micro-nutrients and protective antioxidants. Several scientific studies are finding considerable associations between exposure to pesticides, and Alzheimer’s as well as other neurological disorders. This emphasizes the use of fresh, locally grown, organic foods.
You should limit your intake of processed sugars since they trigger a rapid rise in your blood sugar level. You should especially avoid prepared foods containing hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners (particularly aspartame), monosodium glutamate (or MSG, and in particular, hydrolyzed vegetable protein), as well as any other artificial constituent. Many of these substances, if not all, are alleged to be triggering brain cells’ damage and acting as a contributing factor for dementia.
But you need not despair as there’s good news. For long, it has been believed that diet can help us fight dementia, and now there’s clinical evidence to support it. For instance, the traditional Mediterranean Diet actually protects the brain. The study called “Mediterranean Diet and Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease” by Yaakov Stern, Nikolaos Scarmeas and others is just one among many investigations that praise this specific diet for offering protection from Alzheimer’s.
Food that help fight Alzheimer’s – what to include
A person with Alzheimer’s should have foods with clinical and/or anecdotal evidence as dementia fighters, or the ones that are probable dementia fighters otherwise. Some foods to include are:
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil— ensure its unprocessed and organic
- Turmeric
- Omega-3 oils – found in flax seed, particular fishes, chia seed, and walnuts
- Particular herbs and spices
- Ginger
- Clove
- Cinnamon
- Spice mixes like garam masala and those for curry, and
- Cilantro/coriander
- Fresh vegetables and fruits, especially the ones having orange and deep green color
- Whole grains – rye, barley, buckwheat
- Seafood—particularly cold water species having high content of omega-3 oils, like mackerel and wild salmon
- Legumes – chickpeas and lentils
Remember this: Moderate alcohol consumption, especially when it’s red wine, may offer you some protective value. However, excessive intake may cause neurological disorders. So, don’t go overboard!
What to avoid
Since some foods and food additives could cause Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, they should be best avoided, or used minimally.
- Go organic: Whenever possible, eat organic while staying away from foods containing environmental chemicals.
- Aluminum: Trace amounts of aluminum are found in some processed foods. For example, most varieties of baking powder available commercially contain aluminum. It’s ideal to find an aluminum free brand when you need to use baking powder. Several baking mixes, waffle and pancake products, muffins etc. too contain aluminum.
- Trans fats: These are hydrogenated oils, which are probably the biggest sham ever committed in the domain of food and diet.
Other significant dietary considerations
- Coconut oil is mired in an ongoing controversy regarding its benefits. A thoughtful article on the subject was published online on December 15, 2009 by Dr. Stephanie Seneff, where she concluded that apart from being healthy, coconut oil and cholesterol can even offer protection against AD. She further mentioned that our obsession with getting everything in the low-fat version might actually have caused the present Alzheimer’s epidemic. Dr. Seneff’s essay is definitely worth reading, and you can do it by clicking here.
- Some doctors may usually recommend Canola oil but we ask you not to use it. For one, it’s highly processed. In addition, a recent study indicates that canola oil can cause memory loss. Though this study, like most other studies in nutritional science, is far from being conclusive, we would still vote in favor of using olive oil and other oils, which are surely known to be healthy.
These are some dietary recommendations, which we think would help in choosing foods and creating recipes for those with Alzheimer’s. This in turn would let them enjoy food and a better quality of life.
