How should the elderly eat to prevent dementia?

Alzheimer's disease refers to the symptoms of chronic mental decline in people over 50 years old, such as memory loss, slow reaction, mental retardation, depression, and even dementia. It is roughly divided into two forms: one is cerebrovascular dementia, accounting for about 50%; the other is Alzheimer's type dementia, accounting for about 25%; and the rest are mixed types.

Since dietary nutrition has a significant impact on the brain function of patients with Alzheimer's disease, it will be beneficial to the recovery of this disease if they can pay attention to providing sufficient nutrients in normal times.

Free radicals are the root of dementia. Modern science has proven that effective substances for eliminating free radicals mainly include vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene and selenium. Foods containing more vitamin C are concentrated in fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods containing more vitamin E include: yuba, soybean flour, dried tofu, vegetarian chicken, soybeans, fermented bean curd and other bean products, as well as almonds, raw malt, sunflower oil and other foods. Foods containing more β-carotene include: carrots, sweet potatoes, etc.; the vitamin A content in chicken liver, foie gras, and pig liver all exceeds 4900 mg per 100 grams.

Choline deficiency is a major cause of dementia. Lecithin is the raw material converted into acetylcholine in the brain. Supplementing lecithin can increase acetylcholine. Foods rich in lecithin include soybeans and their products, fish brains, egg yolks, fish seeds, pork liver, sesame seeds, yams, mushrooms, peanuts, etc.

Through continuous research, scientists have gained new understanding of the impact of trace elements and Alzheimer's disease. For example, zinc is involved in the synthesis of many enzymes and neurotransmitters in brain tissue. In the blood, cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer's disease, the zinc content is reduced. Foods containing more zinc include lean meat, beans, fish, wheat and other foods; selenium has antioxidant activity and may have There is a certain synergistic effect. Foods containing more selenium include mutton, turkey legs, chicken liver, herring, hairtail, etc. Magnesium is a cofactor for various enzyme reactions. It works with potassium, calcium and other elements to maintain myocardial function and prevent and treat arteriosclerosis, thereby enhancing brain blood flow and helping to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease. You should eat more of the above recommended foods. Excessive aluminum content in the environment is positively correlated with the incidence and mortality of dementia, and care should be taken to avoid ingestion.

The intake of vitamin B12 and folic acid can help avoid common dementia praecox. Foods rich in B12 include: mushrooms, soybeans, eggs, etc. Foods rich in folic acid include: green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, beef, etc.

Essential fatty acids are indispensable nutrients for the brain to maintain normal functions. Walnuts, fish oil, and safflower oil contain high amounts of essential fatty acids and can be added in appropriate amounts in the diet.

Pay attention to giving a low-sugar diet. Because too much sugar, especially too much refined sugar, can easily lead to neuropathy or neurasthenia and other disorders in brain function. In addition, when cooking dishes, do not add too much MSG.

Reducing the number of calories in your diet may help prevent it, because a low-calorie diet induces the production of a protein that protects the brain from the disease.