Five Dietary Guidelines to Manage Symptoms of Dementia

by Esther Dacamay on August 20, 2009 · diet

in diet

As of today, there is no known cure for Dementia, however much of its effects can be reversed if the disease is diagnosed in its earliest stage. Proper diet and nutrition are essential in the treatment of this disease.

Often times, elderly adults who are malnourished or are lacking certain vitamins and minerals in their system will manifest symptoms linked to dementia. Therefore, a proper and accurate diagnosis of dementia is imperative prior to prescribing any drugs for treatment. However, at any rate, diet is the foundation from which we build our bodily defense mechanisms from viruses, ailments and most degenerative diseases.

The following are the top five dietary guidelines that will help dementia patients keep their symptoms under control or at bay.

1) Low Fat, High Fiber – Eat a diet that is low in saturated fat and high in fiber. Reduce or eliminate saturated fats from daily meals, but also ensure that you are receiving adequate essential fatty acids, especially the omega-3s. Incorporate a good dietary regimen with an emphasis on a high-fiber diet that stresses fresh fruit and vegetables, sprouts, seeds, nuts, pressed oils, millet, brown rice, oat bran, whole grains, fish and low-fat foods.

2) No Refined or Processed Foods – Hot Dogs, sausages and foods that come in a box are processed foods. In order to optimize your diet, utilize foods that resemble their natural state. Choosing organic foods is best as they are nutrient dense and contain beneficial, live enzymes. It is also important to ingest a diet high in antioxidants such as zinc, flavonoids, carotene and selenium. Always remember, live food – live body, dead food – dead body!

3) Smart – The neurotransmitters in our brains must be fed. Therefore, it is very important to eat foods containing Acetyl-choline. A few of these foods include soy, chlorophyll rich foods, whole grains, egg yolks, lecithin, liver and beans.

4) Get Your Protein – Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Therefore, a whey smoothie or soy smoothie containing lecithin and flaxseed is highly beneficial. For lunch, a salad with a tuna or salmon sandwich is great for mental acuity. Lastly, if youre looking for a relaxing and restful nights sleep try a meal of protein rich spaghetti made with brown rice, ground turkey and a low sodium sauce.

5) Keep It Broad – A low-calorie diet of 1500 ” 2000 is best. Select your nourishment from a broad cross-section of foods to include fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains (brown rice, soy beans, oats, millet, buckwheat). In addition, take a high-potency multiple vitamin on a daily basis in order to prevent nutrient depletions that are associated with this debilitating disease.

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