Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease by Avoiding These Four Foods

While there isn’t a single magic wand you can wave to reduce your elderly loved one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease, taking steps to improve her eating habits is a great way to help eliminate foods that are harmful to her brain health and increase those that support a healthy brain. With Alzheimer’s care support, your loved one’s eating habits can be monitored.

How Foods Affect Brain Health

What foods are eaten by individuals (especially if the foods are eaten in excess) can decrease brain health. Some foods have been linked to the creation of amyloid plaques in the brain. These sticky protein clusters damage the parts of the brain needed for brain functions like memory and problem-solving.

It’s also known that certain health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, all increase the risk of dementia, so the connection between poor eating habits and those diseases is directly linked. Therefore, what your loved one eats can make a difference in when or if she will develop dementia.

Four Foods That May Harm Brain Health

Some foods can contribute to dementia due to the types of nutrients they contain and how they interact with the body. Consuming too many simple carbohydrates, processed foods, and sugars can stimulate the production of toxins in the body. With that knowledge, these four foods are often recommended to be removed from most people’s diets, or at least, highly reduce the amount that is consumed of each one.

Processed Cheeses and Meats. These food items convert to nitrites in the body, leading to inflammation, a large risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Common meats that are highly processed include bacon, ham, and smoked turkey, while common cheeses that are highly processed include American cheese, mozzarella sticks, and spray cheese from a can.

Simple Carbohydrates. Refined foods cause sugar levels in the blood system to spike insulin production and lead to the creation of toxic proteins that are linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Foods that are considered simple carbohydrates and should be limited in the diet include pasta, white bread, white rice, pastries, and cakes.

Microwave Popcorn. While unbuttered popcorn made in a pan can be a healthy snack, microwave popcorn has been discovered to be harmful to brain health. It contains diacetyl, a chemical that may increase those dangerous amyloid plaques in the brain.

Beer and red wine. Both of these alcoholic drinks contain those nitrates that become harmful nitrites in the body.

When You Need Alzheimer’s Care for Your Elderly Loved One

It’s possible that even if your elderly loved one only eats all the right foods, she may develop Alzheimer’s Disease, especially if she has other risk factors for the disease. As a caregiver, being prepared for this eventuality when caring for your elderly loved one can help you support her through this disease.

Alzheimer’s care providers can walk with you and your loved one as the disease progresses, providing needed support as her needs change. An Alzheimer’s care provider can customize and change the care provided as you navigate the changes the disease causes in your loved one’s brain health. Having that support can make all the difference in the quality of life both you and your loved one have while she battles Alzheimer’s disease.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Alzheimer’s Care Services in Roswell, GA, please contact the caring staff at CaraVita Home Care today. (770) 643-1712