November is National Alzheimer’s Month!

Over 5 Million Americans live with Alzheimer’s.  Alzheimer’s is a disease that attacks the brain and it is the most common form of dementia. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. There is no treatment to cure, delay, or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. It is important to know the signs and symptoms with loved ones. Please visit http://www.alz.org for more information.

As someone who has a family member in early stages of Alzheimer’s. I wanted to give a few tips for brain healthy foods to add into your diet.

  • Eat More Berries- Berries contain high amounts of antioxidants that help lower inflammation in the body.
  • Increase Omega 3s due to their anti-inflammatory effect.  We usually eat high amounts of omega 6s that have more of an inflammatory role in the body. To help offset this, increase omega 3 food sources in the diet. Sources include flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, salmon and eggs.
  • Spice up dishes with Turmeric- Curcumin is considered the active component in turmeric and makes up about 2-5% of the spice. Curcumin is thought to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
  • Increase Fruit and Vegetable intake to boost your immune system.
  • Reduce Red Meat Consumption.
  • Make sure you get plenty of Vitamin D- Inadequate vitamin D levels are linked to possible cognitive decline and dementia. Exposure to 10-15 minutes of sunlight/day on the arms and legs, whenever possible, is recommended. Foods rich in vitamin D include fortified milk, salmon, tuna, and eggs.
  • Dont’t stop drinking coffee if you already do.
  • Get enough Vitamin B12 in the diet- The best sources of B12 are animal products.

Want more medical nutrition therapy tips, please contact me for a 1-1 nutrition counseling session!

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