Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) are two health problems that affect seniors. Dementia results in interference of daily life by causing loss of memory, deterioration of reasoning ability, personality and behavior changes and loss of ability for simple tasks such as swallowing and walking. There are however natural remedies that can help prevent and even improve symptoms of dementia via nutritional and lifestyle changes.

 Quick and simple steps:

• Less sugar: that means no concentrated sweeteners or refined sugars. Glucose uptake and metabolism is impaired in AD but the way this impairment contributes to this disease is still unclear. Alzheimer’s Disease is sometimes referred to as “type 3 diabetes” due to the problems of metabolizing sugars. A study published in “The New England Journal of Medicine” in 2013 with over 2000 senior participants found that over the course of about 6.8 years, participants without diabetes who developed dementia had higher than average glucose levels during the preceding five years. Participants who developed dementia with prior diabetes also had higher than average glucose levels. In both of these groups, high glucose levels was related to an increased risk of developing dementia, regardless of whether the person had diabetes or not.
• Coconut oil: organic and virgin coconut oil has been shown to improve the symptoms of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease. A study published in “Neurotherapeutics” in 2008 suggests that ketones supplement normal glucose supplies to the brain. Coconut oil is an excellent source of ketones, it is free of cholesterol and trans fats, and has several benefits including:
  • Improving the body’s use of insulin.
  • Improving cholesterol by increasing HDL (good cholesterol.
  • Boosting thyroid function resulting in increased energy.
  • Acting as an antioxidant and natural antibiotic.
  • Improving overall health of skin and hair.
• Best foods for dementia: there are certain foods you can eat that will help alleviate or prevent symptoms of dementia, such as:
  • Cold water fish (salmon, halibut, mackerel, herring) 2x a week.
  • Organic pasture-raised liver. Eat lightly cooked, as pate, or substitute with capsules.
  • 2-3 eggs a day: great source of choline & good cholesterol.
  • Daily servings of fresh berries. Avoid other fruits that are higher in sugar.
  • Zinc: oysters, beef, pork, chicken, crab, lobster, dairy.
  • Anti-inflammatory spices: ginger, turmeric.
  • Flavonols and anti-oxidants: green tea, black tea, dark chocolate (70% cocoa or more).
  • Dark leafy greens.

Lifestyle tips:

Apart from diet, there are some lifestyle changes that promote general health and well-being.

• Physical activity: light exercise, such as walking, swimming or yoga, help increase retention of cognitive skills. Regular exercising also helps preserve balance and coordination.
• Mental wellness: try taking up a new hobby, such as games and puzzles, gardening, learning a new language, or card games.
• Sleep: make adequate sleep a priority! Plan 7-8 hours of sleep every night and naps during the day if needed.
• Try meditating: meditation may help to relieve stress by calming the body and mind.
• Socialize with friends and family: or try something new like joining a book club, dance class, or cooking lessons.
• Check in with your doctor: check in with your doctor to monitor your symptoms and progress.

Always talk to your doctor first if you have concerns related to Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia.