The MIND diet has been in the news because it’s 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. Here are a few different aspects of the MIND diet and 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.
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Discourages Consumption of Cheese & Unhealthy Meats
The MIND diet reduces the amount of red meat and cheese your loved one eats. When processed meats and cheeses are cut from your loved one’s diet, he or she avoids nitrosamines, which cause the liver to produce fats that are toxic to the brain. Avoiding these types of meats can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. By eating no more than one serving of cheese per week, your loved one can prevent increased levels of proteins associated with Alzheimer’s.
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Encourages Drinking Wine Each Day
Even the smell of wine has the potential to prevent Alzheimer’s disease among seniors. Inflammation increases the risk of experiencing memory loss. However, drinking a glass of wine each day can reduce inflammation in the brain and preserve memory. By drinking a glass of wine, as per the MIND Diet, your loved one can 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 eating 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.
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