Eating a healthy diet, along with staying active, is important at every stage of life and especially as we age.
Adequate nutrition together with other lifestyle factors can play a critical role in the maintenance of cognitive health and in the prevention of cognitive decline and its possible progression to dementia. Nutrition research has shifted from examining the effects of foods or nutrients in isolation to focusing more on the effects of foods and nutrient combinations in dietary patterns.
Multiple studies have shown that eating a balanced diet can reduce heart-health risks and can also assist to prevent or delay the onset and experience of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive conditions. Diet is one factor researchers are investigating further for its role in reducing the risk of dementia and for the assistance a healthy diet may provide to people who are living with dementia.
A healthy balanced diet is important for everyone to help prevent other health problems. Brain-positive diets include the Mediterranean diet that features whole grains, leafy vegetables, fruit, nuts, and seeds, and olive oils. There are also other recommended ways of eating for brain health such as the MIND, DASH, and WFPB diets that have been shown to significantly reduce risk factors for cognitive decline.
A diet rich in essential nutrients can have a direct impact on brain health and function. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals are vital to consume for overall brain health.
Diets and dementia
A leafy and nutrient-rich diet is a powerful tool in the prevention and progression reduction of dementia. More and more is being discovered all the time with research already showing that a brain-positive diet can support brain function. It does so by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, promoting cardiovascular health, regulating blood sugar levels, and positively impacting the gut-brain interactions.
By adopting and maintaining a healthy diet, you can take proactive steps to preserve your cognitive abilities and enjoy a better quality of life while ageing.
Eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet can be beneficial to help your body work more efficiently, give you more energy, and help avoid other health problems. Other essential factors such as physical activity, sleep quality, and socialisation must also be considered. Adhering to conscious and healthy food and lifestyle choices contributes overall to leading to active and healthier ageing.
Our DACS staff are specially trained to deliver comprehensive and tailored support so that you can continue to maintain an active and socially engaging lifestyle.
