Alzheimer’s and Nutrition
By Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD
The most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, is a leading cause of death in the United States, with close to 6 million adults over 65 years of age diagnosed with the disease. Marked by memory loss and significant disruptions to daily life, Alzheimer’s has a devastating impact on those living with the condition and their loved ones.
While the impact of nutrition and lifestyle on dementia development is not fully understood, food and exercise patterns may play a role. To mark Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, this article highlights the connection between nutrition and brain health.
Nutrition and Prevention of Alzheimer’s
Since the foods you eat can impact brain function and memory, certain dietary patterns may help prevent or delay Alzheimer’s Disease. Genetics and aging are unmodifiable risk factors for dementia, while food choices are something you can control to a certain extent.
In recent years, researchers have found that the MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet — a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets — may be linked to dementia prevention. The nutrients found in fish and plant foods that are heavily emphasized in these eating patterns may boost brain function, provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that prevent beta-amyloid deposits in the brain, and decrease blood pressure, which is a risk factor for dementia.
The MIND Diet recommends eating a certain amount of weekly or daily servings from each of these healthy food groups. Examples of foods from each group are included.
Leafy greens (spinach, arugula, kale, collard greens, Swiss chard), 6 or more servings per week
Other vegetables (tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms), 1 or more servings per day
Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), 2 or more servings per week
Whole grains (brown rice, farro, oats, quinoa), 3 or more servings per day
Fish (salmon, sardines, cod), 1 serving per week
Poultry (chicken, turkey), 2 servings per week
Beans (black beans, lentils, chickpeas), 3 servings per week
Nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts), 5 servings per week
Extra virgin olive oil in cooking
Recommendations also include limiting intake of alcohol, red meat, sweets, cheese, butter, and fried food. In addition to dietary changes, lifestyle interventions that may help prevent dementia include getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week, staying mentally active, and connecting with other people.
Nutrition and Treatment of Alzheimer’s
Nutrition interventions also play a role in management of Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals with dementia can experience feeding-related challenges, such as forgetting to eat, burning food or not remembering how to cook, difficulty chewing or swallowing, and appetite change. To address these problems, these interventions are often recommended for caregivers of a person with Alzheimer’s:
Purchase healthy foods but choose ones that the person enjoys
Stay consistent with a routine and offer meals at similar times each day
Serve meals in a familiar place
Offer options that are easy to prepare, such as ready-to-eat salads and soups, yogurts, or even premade meal prep services
Assist the person with cooking, especially when using the stove, oven, or knives
Note from Healthy For Life Meals: Our menus contain many of the foods recommended by the MIND diet, including nuts, beans, berries, poultry, and whole grains. Plus, they’re fresh, fully prepared, and delicious! Get started today and save $10 off your first order with discount code: TryHFLM.