The primary cause of dementia is the atrophy or death of brain cells in Alzheimer’s disease. The main goal of treatment is to slow down the pathological process as much as possible by strengthening neural connections, stimulating metabolic processes and improving blood circulation. The patient needs to regularly take the prescribed medications (for example Admenta 10, Aricept), maintain an optimal level of physical activity and follow a proper diet. The basis of the diet for patients with dementia should include foods rich in antioxidants, protein and unsaturated fatty acids. There are also products that are not recommended for consumption with dementia; let’s consider them in detail.
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Alcohol.
Research shows that alcohol has a significant impact on brain function. Even a healthy person who consumes alcohol regularly harms their central nervous system and people with dementia immediately feel the negative effects of such drinks. Moreover, many medications simply do not combine with alcohol and can lead to serious side effects.
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Sausage products.
Any products made from processed meat, including sausages, are strictly prohibited during dementia. The presence of trans fats, a huge amount of salt and carcinogens negatively affects the function of all organs and body systems. Consuming such products leads to increase cholesterol and blood pressure, harming the cardiovascular system and worsening brain blood supply, causing cells to die faster. For the same reason, fatty meats, offal and fried foods should also be excluded from the diet.
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Butter.
This product is high in saturated fats, which are contraindicated in dementia. With regular consumption of butter, the body receives more lipids than it can process, causing them to accumulate in adipocytes and deposit in the liver, leading to fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis. Butter should be replaced with plant-based alternatives, such as sunflower or olive oil, which are rich in unsaturated fats that help the body combat dementia.
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Sweets.
A number of studies confirm that sugar promotes the increased production of cytokines. These are special proteins that determine cell survival, differentiation and functional activation. An increase in certain cytokines stimulates inflammatory processes, which accelerate brain degradation.
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Processed cheese.
Any cheese products that have undergone thermal processing contain types of proteins that can gradually accumulate in the body and cause disruptions in brain function. Additionally, this product contains dangerous chemical elements, harmful additives and many harmful salts. This composition can provoke allergic reactions and exacerbate various diseases. It is not recommended consuming this dairy product with any kidney issues, hypertension, heart diseases or stomach disorders.
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Aspartame.
The most harmful decision in dementia is to replace sugar with aspartame, which has an even worse effect on the body. This sweetener is often found in soft drinks. However, it is also commonly added to coffee or tea when trying to lose weight. The substance is indeed virtually calorie-free, but it contains harmful components such as phenylalanine, methanol and aspartic acid. These substances negatively affect cognitive brain functions and worsen the condition of Alzheimer’s disease.