Dementia is a condition of impaired memory and compromised mental abilities such as judgment, language and social interaction. It's caused by changes to your brain, which result from damage to its cells, nerves or blood vessels. Dementia can take a variety of forms and occurs for numerous reasons. A healthy diet may play a role in diminishing or preventing dementia. Everyone has unique nutritional needs, so discuss your personal dietary options with a nutritionally trained health care professional.
Standard American Diet
Consuming a standard American diet is a significant risk for developing dementia, according to Drs. Joseph Pizzorno and Michael Murray, naturopathic physicians and authors of the "Textbook of Natural Medicine." The standard American diet is high in processed foods, refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats and is low in fiber, complex carbohydrates and nutrients. Foods in the standard American diet tend to increase free radical damage in the body, causing harm to your nerve cells and contributing to the development of dementia.
Aluminum
The issue of whether aluminum contributes to dementia is controversial in scientific circles, and numerous studies support either viewpoint. Drs. Murray and Pizzorno contend that aluminum does indeed contribute to dementia, possibly significantly. In people with Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, aluminum concentrates in the brain's nerve cells. Aluminum enters your body through the water supply, foods, antacids and deodorants.
Inflammation
Inflammation in your body may contribute toward cognitive decline, in a similar way that it plays a role in heart disease, according to a 2002 study in the "Annals of Neurology." In other words, high levels of inflammation in the body are associated with increased incidence of all types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Inflammation is an immune system reaction to infection or injury; it helps your body heal. However, when the inflammatory response continues at a low level over a long period of time, it can cause damage to your body's cells, which can lead to dementia and other degenerative diseases. Certain foods promote inflammation, according to Dr. Jessica Black, a naturopathic physician and author of "The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book," such as wheat, dairy, processed foods and hydrogenated oils. Avoiding these foods may help diminish cellular damage. Noninflammatory dietary alternatives include cold-water fish, vegetables, fruits, garlic, ginger, turmeric, nuts and seeds.
Deficiencies
Nutrient deficiencies are common in the elderly, the group of people who are the most prone to dementia. Drs. Pizzorno and Murray state that nutritional status is directly related to cognitive function, and so poor nutrition can result in mental decline. Nutrients that are helpful for decreasing or slowing dementia include B vitamins, antioxidants, zinc and phospholipids. These nutrients are available in a healthy diet and as supplements.
Foods to Avoid
Foods that contribute to cell damage should, of course, be avoided in order to prevent dementia. Harmful foods include packaged products, foods with sugar or artificial sweeteners and low-quality animal products. Aluminum intake may be diminished by avoiding the use of aluminum pots and pans, aluminum foil, nondairy creamers and certain baking powders and table salts.
What to Eat
Drs. Pizzorno and Murray state that eating fish and foods high in monounsaturated fatty acids, such as those in the Mediterranean diet, lends protection against cognitive decline. Other foods that may be helpful are those that are rich in vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. These nutrients are contained in a diet that's centered around unprocessed foods -- fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, fish and high-quality oils, as well as high-quality animal products as appropriate for your personal metabolic requirements.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Dementia
- "Textbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D., and Michael T. Murray, N.D.; 2006
- "Annals of Neurology"; Early Inflammation and Dementia: A 25-Year Follow-Up of the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study; R. Schmidt, et. al.; August 2002
- "The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book"; Jessica K. Black, N.D.; 2006
