Part 1: Diet and Nutrition
As you may know, current treatments for Alzheimer’s are largely ineffective. Prevention is a far better course of action for someone concerned about getting Alzheimer’s. One major risk factor for Alzheimer’s is diet and nutrition. By making a few healthy choices at each meal you can dramatically reduce your likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s.
Limit Sugar Consumption
In particular refined sugars and fructose are detrimental to your health. While it is unlikely you will be able to keep all sugar out of your diet getting your consumption below 25 grams a day is ideal. Ultimately, this will help by lowering insulin and leptin levels, which in turn prevents Alzheimer’s.
Kick Grains
Genetically engineered grains, which are now virtually the only grains found in processed food, have been proven to be linked to a number of health problems and Alzheimer’s is no exception. Ideally cutting gluten and casein out of your diet as well would be best. According to scientist gluten has a negative effect on your blood-brain barrier. Gluten and casein also cause inflammation, which leads to a decline in immune ability.
Get Plenty of Folate
Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin and is found abundantly in raw veggies. Getting folate from food sources is vastly superior to taking folic acid supplements.
Eat Healthy Fats
One of the best healthy fats is Omega-3 Fatty Acid, especially if it comes from animal based products. Having enough healthy fats in your diet is critical for optimal brain function. Good sources of these fats are organic butter, organic coconut oil, nuts (raw and unsalted), free-range eggs, wild salmon, and avocado. When your body breaks down these fats it turns them into ketones, which are used by your brain for energy.
Up the Magnesium
Magnesium, found in nuts, seeds, avocados, spinach, chard and other green leafy vegetables, is recently being connected to decreasing Alzheimer’s symptoms. As always, getting magnesium as part of your daily meals is better than taking a supplement. However, if you have to take a supplement magnesium threonate appears to be more effective than other types of magnesium supplements.
Other Important Nutrients
Other nutrients and vitamins than have been proven instrumental in preventing Alzheimer’s are anthocyanin, antioxidants, astaxanthin, ginkgo biloba, alpha lipoic acid, and vitamin B12
Making these changes in your diet may make an enormous difference in your cognitive ability as you age. Not to mention that all of these tips will have positive effects on many other aspects of your life and body’s ability to function. Alzheimer’s may not be the only disease you are preventing by making these changes. (see our article on Nutritional Support for Alzheimer’s)
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