The MIND diet has been in the news because it is showing promising results with reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s. This diet is based on brain-friendly foods that can help your senior loved one preserve his or her memory. Oakville Alzheimer’s care professionals identify different aspects of the MIND diet and explain how it benefits the brain.
Includes Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The MIND diet is full of foods that slow cognitive impairment in seniors. Some of those foods include walnuts, fish, and olive oil. The omega-3 fatty acid known as DHA is a key factor pertaining to brain development. For your loved one’s brain to function normally, he or she may need to consume large amounts of DHA, which the MIND diet calls for. The fatty acids found in this diet, especially those found in nuts and olive oil, also counter inflammation and prevent the buildup of protein in the brain.
Discourages Consumption of Cheese and Unhealthy Meats
The MIND diet reduces the amount of red meat and cheese your loved one can eat. When your loved one cuts processed meats and cheeses from his or her diet, he or she avoids nitrosamines, which cause the liver to produce fats that are toxic to the brain. Avoiding these types of meats helps your loved one reduce his or her risk of Alzheimer’s. By eating no more than one serving of cheese per week, he or she can prevent increased levels of proteins associated with Alzheimer’s.
Encourages Drinking Wine Each Day
Even the smell of wine has the potential to prevent Alzheimer’s disease among seniors. Inflammation increases your loved one’s risk of experiencing memory loss. However, drinking a glass of wine each day could reduce inflammation in your loved one’s brain and preserve his or her memory. By drinking a glass of wine, as per the MIND Diet, your loved one could also prevent cognitive impairment, a form of memory loss that increases the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Limits Fast Food Consumption
Fast food is rich in cholesterol, fat, and sugar, which could lead to changes in the brain and increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. However, following the MIND Diet requires your loved one to eat no more than one serving of fast food per week. This dietary change reduces the amount of fats and sugars your loved one eats, but most importantly, it lowers the amount of cholesterol he or she consumes. Because the brain is naturally rich in cholesterol, eating more of it can disturb its regulation in the brain. As a result, memory is negatively impacted, leading to Alzheimer’s.
By focusing on wholesome and nutritious foods, the MIND diet is good for the brain and also for overall health. Even if your loved one follows the diet partially, he or she can still reap some of the benefits. If you would like your loved one to eat more nutritious foods and generally pursue a healthier lifestyle, get in touch with Home Care Assistance. In addition to assisting your loved one with daily tasks, a professional caregiver can encourage him or her to eat healthy and also help prepare wholesome meals. We provide home care Oakville families can trust and also specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care to boost memory, speech, and cognitive development. Call (905) 337-1200 for a free consultation.