A healthy diet can benefit the body and brain, lowering the risk of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. The meals seniors consume should boost their cognitive functioning instead of limiting their mental, physical, and emotional abilities. Make sure your aging loved one avoids the following foods to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Processed Cheeses
American, Colby, and other processed cheese can induce memory loss and increase the odds of Alzheimer’s among older adults. Consuming snacks, sandwiches, side dishes, and entrées made with cheese can cause inflammation in the brain and harm your loved one’s memory. Processed cheese increases the risk of artery blockages that prevent blood and oxygen from reaching the brain. The blockages are caused by unhealthy proteins in processed cheese, and excessive protein buildup can lead to cognitive decline and the breakdown of synapses. Natural cheese alternatives your loved one should eat instead of processed options include:
• Feta
• Cottage cheese
• Brie and other aged cheeses
If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, help is just a phone call away. There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading homecare provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
Smoked Meats
The nitrosamines in smoked meats can lead to Alzheimer’s development. When seniors consume this type of meat, the nitrosamines could cause the liver to produce dangerous fats that damage the brain. The chemical compounds can also cause oxidative stress, which is another factor associated with this progressive disease. By eating smoked meats, neurofibrillary tangles can accumulate in the brain, and these tau proteins are the primary markers of Alzheimer’s disease. When preparing meal plans, make sure your loved one avoids the following smoked meats:
• Bacon
• Pork roast
• Ham
• Ribs
Aging adults who need help managing mental and physical health issues can benefit from the assistance of a highly trained professional caregiver. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional elderly home care. Richmond, VA, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
White Bread and Pasta
Consuming these foods can spike blood sugar and cause inflammation in the brain. Bread and pasta contain toxic proteins such as beta-amyloid plaques. These proteins damage the neurons, and over time, this type of damage can lead to early-onset Alzheimer’s. Add whole grain bread and pasta to your loved one’s diet or prepare vegetables instead. For example, when cooking pasta salads, you can use zucchini noodles instead of noodles made of white flour and other gluten-rich ingredients.
Butter
Margarine is made with a high amount of saturated fat, and a high intake of this fat can significantly increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. Consuming too much saturated fat can decrease levels of apolipoprotein E, a chemical needed to protect the brain against the progressive disease. Instead of cooking your loved one’s meals with butter and saturated oils, choose olive oil. The antioxidants found in olive oil can lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and boost cognitive abilities. If your loved one doesn’t want to give up butter entirely, try to limit his or her intake to no more than one teaspoon per day.
If you’re the primary caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, you don’t have to go through it alone. Without the right assistance, Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors and their families to manage. If you’re looking for professional Alzheimer’s care, Richmond Home Care Assistance provides high-quality care aging adults and their families can count on. All of our hourly and live-in caregivers are trained to help seniors with Alzheimer’s live happier and healthier lives, and we also provide specialized dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. For reliable in-home care services, contact us at (804) 207-4746 today.