6 Foods That Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

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Foods That Reduce AD Risk in Toronto, ON

Choosing the right foods is important for seniors, as brain-healthy foods can keep their minds in good shape. Here are 6 foods that can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. 

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in several foods such as salmon, white tuna, olive oil, flaxseeds, and walnuts. These fatty acids are crucial for brain health because they contain DHA, a chemical that facilitates neural development and reduces inflammation. Some scientists believe inflammation can cause protein buildup in the brain and lead to Alzheimer’s disease. By reducing inflammation, seniors may be able to prevent this disease.

Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Toronto, ON, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. 

2. Leafy Greens

There are few foods better for the brain than leafy green vegetables. Seniors should try to eat at least six servings a week of broccoli, collards, spinach, and kale. These greens are packed with vitamins A and C, which contribute to healthy brain function. For example, vitamin C contains antioxidants that minimize free radical damage in the brain. 

3. Berries

There are many types of antioxidants, and they all defend the body from harmful free radicals and environmental toxins. To stave off Alzheimer’s disease and prevent brain damage, seniors should try to follow flavonoid-rich diets. Seniors can eat a handful of cranberries with their breakfast or drink all-natural fruit juice. 

4. Legumes

Beans and legumes make up a healthy diet. They contain a range of brain-healthy nutrients like magnesium, iron, folate, and potassium. Beans also contain choline, a type of vitamin B that helps the body produce acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter necessary for optimal brain function.

If your senior loved one needs encouragement in making healthier lifestyle choices or assistance with daily activities, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Toronto respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.

5. Curry Powder

In places where curry powder is used frequently, people tend to have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and higher brain performance. This is because curcumin, which is found in curry, is a potent antioxidant, anti-amyloid, and anti-inflammatory compound. Scientists have found that amyloid proteins clump together and form a plaque in the brains of seniors with Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin makes it difficult for amyloid proteins to join, which reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s.

6. Pumpkin

Pumpkin contains folate and vitamin A, which help seniors boost their cognitive performance in a variety of ways. For example, vitamin A protects brain cells from damage caused by oxidative stress. As the brain is susceptible to oxidative stress, it’s important for seniors to consume a diet rich in vitamin A.

Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Toronto, ON, live-in home care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place. To hire a high-quality in-home caregiver for your senior loved one, call Home Care Assistance at (416) 488-8777 today.

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