5 Brain-Boosting Foods to Know to Stay Away from Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is one of the common diseases in the group of brain disorders. It is estimated that in Thailand, the number of patients will increase by up to 100,000 people per year. Generally, it occurs in the elderly around 60 years old and above, but it can also occur in younger working-age people. Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that doctors still cannot diagnose the exact cause of or cure completely.
In the early stage, Alzheimer’s mainly affects the frontal lobe of the brain because the frontal lobe controls thinking, planning, decision-making, emotion regulation, and personality. When the frontal lobe is damaged by Alzheimer’s, it affects patients by making it difficult to control emotions, causing repetitive behaviors, stress, irritability, depression, poor decision-making, hesitation, and confusion about directions. However, patients can still communicate and perform daily activities. In the middle stage, patients face confusion and loss of awareness of place, time, and people, such as getting lost, communication problems, hallucinations, paranoia, or suspicion towards caregivers or family members. In the late stage, symptoms worsen, with reduced response to surroundings, physical deterioration, inability to care for themselves, seizures, widespread brain degeneration, weakened immunity leading to infections, and eventually death.
Alt: Brain-boosting foods to prevent Alzheimer’s, what are they?
Brain-Boosting Foods to Prevent Alzheimer’s, What Are They?
The brain is like the command center of the body, controlling thinking, memory, emotions, and learning. Taking care of brain health is as important as caring for other organs. Food plays a crucial role in promoting brain function.
This article would like to introduce 5 brain-boosting foods suitable for those at risk of Alzheimer’s or currently facing the disease as follows:
Eggs
Eggs are easily accessible foods rich in essential amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and important vitamins such as vitamins B1, B2, B6, A, D, and E, which help the nervous system and brain function. They also contain various minerals like phosphorus, selenium, iron, iodine, zinc, etc., which directly benefit the body and brain.
Nuts
Nuts contain many nutrients, including antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, B vitamins, choline, magnesium, and zinc, all of which help nourish and reduce brain degeneration.
Fish
Fish is a food high in good fats and omega-3, beneficial for brain nourishment and protection. Omega-3 contains Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which the body cannot produce but is essential, especially for the brain. If it is inconvenient to eat fish directly as part of meals, fish oil supplements can be an alternative. The recommended intake is three times per week.
Berries
Berries are rich sources of antioxidants and flavonoids, both of which can protect brain cells from damage, reduce brain inflammation, and improve nervous system function. Additionally, berries naturally have lower sugar content compared to other fruits.
Cocoa
Research indicates that drinking 2 tablespoons or 1,000 milligrams of cocoa daily can help nourish the brain and slow the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Cocoa also contains natural nootropic substances proven to enhance memory, along with many other brain-beneficial nutrients such as magnesium, which acts as fuel for body cells, relieves anxiety, and improves concentration. Flavonoids in cocoa help strengthen and expand blood vessels, increasing blood flow and improving brain function.
Patients can choose to consume all these brain-boosting foods as appropriate. On the other hand, food is only a component that helps nourish the body to stay away from Alzheimer’s. If you want to bring family members who may have memory loss or other symptoms at risk of Alzheimer’s for screening or diagnosis with the most effective results, it is advisable to consult a specialist doctor. This allows the doctor to diagnose brain abnormalities and plan targeted treatment. At Phyathai 1 Hospital, there is a screening program for those with memory loss or Alzheimer’s at the Brain and Nervous System Center. Patients and families can make appointments to see a doctor for Alzheimer’s screening at Building 3, 5th floor, Phyathai 1 Hospital. We will analyze the disease problems and continuously monitor treatment outcomes for the best results for patients.
