Five Dietary Guidelines to Manage Symptoms of Dementia

By Esther Dacamay

Although there is no cure for dementia, the effects of dementia could possibly be reversed if diagnosed and treated in its earliest stages. Much of the treatment has to do with diet.

Elderly adults who do not receive the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals in their daily diet will begin to exhibit signs of dementia. It is imperative that an accurate diagnosis of this disease is made by a medical professional before pharmaceutical drugs are prescribed. In addition, diet plays a major role as it is the foundation for which our bodies build strength against ailments and disease.

Here are the top five dietary guidelines to ward off the effects of this debilitating disease.

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) Many Choices - You do not have to bored with your food either. There are many, many choices from each section that can keep your taste buds tantalized. Just be sure to incorporate fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish into a 1500 or 2000 calorie diet daily. In addition, to avoid the potential for nutrient deficiency, incorporate the use of a high potency multi-vitamin. - 17273

About the Author:

Esther Dacanay has more than ten years of professional editorial experience. She is a featured writer on Clivir.com where she provides more lessons about Paranoia Dementia Behaviors and other information about Dr. Khalsa's natural remedy for Dementia.