[REVEALED]: Hidden Nutrition Link to Alzheimer’s

Dementia cases are skyrocketing.

If you don’t take steps to avoid this disease now, your chances of falling prey increase with every passing year.

The good news is researchers have identified 12 modifiable risk factors that account for 40 percent of all cases of dementia.

These include factors like hypertension, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, lack of social contact, and more.

Now, we have another surprising one to add to this list.

Avoiding it not only can help prevent you from getting dementia in the first place, but it can also slow the disease’s progression if you do end up with a diagnosis.

I’m willing to bet that when I mention malnutrition, you think of something like starving babies in Africa. Most folks do.

However, the truth is that—although it often goes unrecognized—malnutrition can be a major problem for seniors.

Our appetites tend to decrease as we age, the processes that trigger hunger and thirst can operate less effectively, and fixed incomes (and soaring food prices) can cause us to cut back on our meals.

In a recent study, researchers took blood samples and body measurements of 266 volunteers. Some were cognitively healthy, others had mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s, and some had Alzheimer’s dementia.

They also ranked them based on the quality of their diets.

They found that Indicators of malnutrition—such as lower levels of total protein, lower BMI value, and lower scores on the Mini Nutritional Assessment—were associated with Alzheimer’s.

Overall, the three most significant predictors of Alzheimer’s included:

• Total protein
• Albumin levels (a protein made by the liver)
• Calf circumference

Additionally, the biggest factor determining the difference between mild cognitive impairment and full dementia was how individuals scored on their Mini Nutritional Assessment.

This recent finding confirms earlier research showing that a significant drop in BMI can be an early indicator of cognitive decline and that malnutrition worsens in each stage of the condition.

This is a classic chicken or egg scenario.

Is malnutrition driving the condition, or does the condition drive poor nutritional choices over time?

My experience tells me it’s BOTH.

Experience also tells me that you can take steps today to boost your brain health and improve your cognition now and in the future.

Following a traditional Mediterranean diet full of whole foods, healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil, and limiting processed foods has consistently been linked to better cognitive health.

More specifically, your diet should regularly include foods like leafy greens, nuts, berries, fish, and olive oil.

P.S. Also, check out these TOP 15 MUST-KNOW risk factors for dementia.

SOURCE:

He, M., et al., (2024). An investigation into the potential association between nutrition and Alzheimer’s disease. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, 1306226. doi. org /10.3389 /fnut.2024.1306226