Dementia is an irreversible disease more commonly seen in older people. The cause of dementia remains unknown. Common symptoms vary between individuals, however, some more common symptoms of dementia are memory loss about persons and recent events, confusion about time and place, and changes in the brain’s ability to think. Other symptoms can be a difficulty in performing familiar tasks and a deterioration in social skills. All these symptoms worsen with time.
In conjunction with medication, food and nutritional supplements can prevent and control the onset of dementia. The top five food supplements to include in a dementia-controlling diet for boosting brain health are the following.
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These supplements specifically include vitamins E, C, and A. Antioxidants protect the brain from damage caused by free radicals and they have anti-inflammatory properties that help control the symptoms of dementia. These vitamins are found in different foods.
Vitamin E is a supplement found in vegetable oils and whole grains, sunflower, cottonseed, safflower and olive oils, berries, and cherries.
Vitamin C is a supplement found in citrus fruits such as oranges, mandarins, lemons, limes, guava, mangoes, and pineapples.
Vitamin A is a supplement found in yellow, orange and green fruits and vegetables such as apricots, mangoes, rock melons, carrots, spinach, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, broccoli, pumpkins, squashes, asparagus, tomatoes, beets, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries.
Polyphenol From Red Wine
This food supplement is found to be effective in reducing the rate of progression of dementia, especially when small amounts of red wine are consumed to stimulate the brain.
B Vitamins: B6, Folate, and B12
These vitamins improve cognition and reduce depression.
B6 is a brain supplement found in lean meats, poultry, fish, whole grains, and barley.
Folate is a brain supplement found in Vegemite/Marmite, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, kale, spinach, asparagus, collard greens, mustard greens, whole grains, citrus fruits, beets, lentils, and turnip greens.
B12 is a brain supplement found in foods such as lean meats, eggs, milk, fortified breakfast cereals, soy milk, oysters, mussels, fish, shrimp, scallops, liver of most animals, and in beef. Lower levels of vitamin B12 can also be found in seaweed, yeast, and fermented foods such as miso and tempeh.
Polyunsaturated Fat and Omega-3 Fats
These foods and supplements reduce the risk of brain lesions. They are found in oily fish such as tuna, sardines, anchovies and salmon (at least one serving should be consumed every week). Other sources of this food supplement to combat dementia and boost brain health are flax seeds, olive oil, almonds, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, and pecans.
Cinnamon, Sage, Turmeric and Cumin
These spices are food supplements that help to break up brain plaque and to reduce inflammation of the brain, which cause memory loss and lead to dementia.
Diabetes, hypertension, obesity and heart disease can exacerbate dementia, therefore, the food and supplements we eat should also be capable of preventing these diseases along with boosting brain health.
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