At the 1st Sign of Dementia - Do This

#brain_health #diet #habits

At the 1st Sign of Dementia: Do This

• Early Signs of Dementia:

  • Loss of navigation/spatial memory (e.g., forgetting where you parked your car).
  • Difficulty finding the right words.
  • Increased confusion compared to the past.
  • Repeating oneself frequently.

• Brain Fuel Issues: Dementia and Alzheimer's occur when Neurons can't get glucose. The brain prefers Ketones, a byproduct of fat burning, over glucose. Most people run their bodies on glucose, leading to insulin resistance and other issues.

• Increasing Ketones for Brain Health:

  • Adopt a low-carb, healthy Ketogenic Diet.
  • Practice Intermittent Fasting
  • Consume MCT Oil or exogenous ketones to directly provide the brain with ketones.

• Supplements and Nutrients for Brain Support:

  • DHA (found in fatty fish and cod liver oil) supports brain health.
  • Zinc and Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), which can be sourced from nutritional yeast, shellfish, beef, or organ meats, support the hippocampus, a brain region affected in Alzheimer's.

• Other Important Measures:

  • Exercise to increase oxygen and blood flow to the brain.
  • Consider Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (Hbot)
  • Ensure adequate sleep and address sleep issues. Sleep apnea can decrease oxygen to the brain. Vitamin D supplementation can help improve sleep and overall brain function.

Let's delve deeper into these topics:

Brain Fuel Issues: The brain, like other organs, requires fuel to function. This fuel traditionally comes in the form of glucose. However, in conditions like Dementia and Alzheimer's, there's a disruption in the brain's ability to utilize glucose. This can be due to resistance at the blood-brain barrier or issues within the Neurons themselves. When the brain can't get its primary fuel, it affects cognitive functions, leading to symptoms of dementia. Interestingly, while glucose is the brain's primary energy source under normal conditions, it has a secondary preference: Ketones.

Increasing Ketones for Brain Health: Ketones are produced when the body burns fat for energy, especially in the absence of carbohydrates. They can serve as an alternative fuel for the brain when glucose utilization is compromised.

1. Keto Diet: A Ketogenic Diet is low in carbohydrates, moderate in protein, and high in fat. By reducing carb intake, the body is forced to burn fat for energy, producing ketones. This can be beneficial for brain health, especially in conditions where glucose metabolism is impaired.

2. Intermittent Fasting: Fasting, or going extended periods without food, pushes the body to use stored fat for energy, leading to increased ketone production. Intermittent fasting involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting, which can elevate ketone levels.

3. MCT Oil and Exogenous Ketones: Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) oil is a type of fat that the body can quickly convert into ketones. Exogenous ketones are supplemental forms of ketones that one can ingest. Both can provide an immediate source of ketones for the brain.

Supplements and Nutrients for Brain Support:

1. DHA: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an Omega-3 Fatty Acids that plays a crucial role in brain health. It's a primary structural component of the brain and retina. Regular intake of DHA, found in fatty fish and cod liver oil, can support cognitive function and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

2. Zinc and Vitamin B1: Both these nutrients play vital roles in brain health. Zinc is essential for neurotransmission and can be found in foods like shellfish, beef, and organ meats. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) is crucial for glucose metabolism in the brain. A deficiency can lead to a range of neurological symptoms. Nutritional yeast is a rich source of Vitamin B1. Both these nutrients support the hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in memory and learning, and which is notably affected in Alzheimer's disease.

Incorporating these dietary changes and supplements can potentially support brain health, especially in the early stages of cognitive decline. However, it's essential to consult with healthcare professionals before making significant changes to one's diet or supplement regimen.