Old-age dementia is the most common disease in today's society. As people age, all organs of the body will undergo aging, accompanied by varying degrees of decline in resistance and memory. After some elderly people develop dementia, it not only affects their daily life, but also has the potential to affect their families. So how can we prevent old-age dementia? Let's take a look at what brain-boosting foods can help prevent old-age dementia.
What is old-age dementia?
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with a insidious onset and progressive development. Clinically, it is characterized by comprehensive dementia symptoms such as memory impairment, aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, visuospatial skill impairment, executive dysfunction, and personality and behavior changes. The etiology of the disease remains unknown. Onset before the age of 65 is called early-onset dementia, while onset after the age of 65 is called old-age dementia.
The disease may be a heterogeneous group of diseases that develop under the influence of multiple factors (including biological and psychosocial factors). From current research, there are more than 30 possible factors and hypotheses for the disease, such as family history, female gender, head trauma, low education level, thyroid disease, advanced or low maternal age, viral infection, etc.
How to prevent old-age dementia? Experts point out that we should not underestimate old-age dementia! Good dietary habits are very important for health preservation.
Preventing old-age dementia by eating these 8 kinds of food:
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain a large amount of lycopene, which has a very good antioxidant effect.
2. Pumpkins
Pumpkins are rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and other antioxidant components. They are also rich in dietary fiber, which helps improve immune function.
3. Carrots
As we all know, carrots are the richest source of beta-carotene. When the body's vitamin A levels are insufficient, beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A to exert its antioxidant effects.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli contains more than 200 types of phytochemicals, which have varying degrees of antioxidant effects and very strong antioxidative ability.
5. Bean sprouts
Bean sprouts are rich in a phytochemical with strong antioxidant and detoxification abilities.
6. Nuts
Nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pine nuts are not only low glycemic index foods, but also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. They also contain abundant antioxidants such as vitamin E and selenium, which help protect brain cells from free radical damage. A study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that nuts also contain a mineral called "boron" that affects brain electrical activity and makes people's cognitive reactions more agile.
7. Oats
Oats are known as the "brain's food" in the field of nutrition. Oats are low glycemic index foods and contain abundant vitamin B, potassium, zinc and other minerals, which contribute to spatial memory and cognition. Oats are also rich in soluble fiber called "beta-glucan", which can prevent the production and absorption of cholesterol, reduce cholesterol concentration in the blood, and thereby reduce the risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis, and stroke, all of which are known causes of dementia.
8. Garlic
The brain's activity mainly relies on glucose as an energy source. To make glucose function properly, a sufficient amount of vitamin B1 is needed. Garlic itself does not contain a large amount of vitamin B1, but it can enhance the effect of vitamin B1 because garlic can produce a substance called "alliin" with vitamin B1, and the effect of alliin is much stronger than that of vitamin B1. Therefore, eating garlic properly can promote the conversion of glucose into brain energy.
