Forgetfulness is not always a disease

I tend to forget things very often. For instance; I forget where I had kept my watch a few minutes ago. But then, after some time, I remember that it is kept nowhere else but in its usual place. That must’ve happened to you as well, right? 

Many people forget many things they are not supposed to, for a short while. Does that mean they are suffering from a disease/disorder? You’d hope not, right?

Let’s move further and see what it means to forget things.

About 70% of cases of Dementia cases become to take scarier route to Alzheimer’s. Every 3 seconds a new case of Alzheimer’s is detected while at the moment, there are around 5 lakh detected cases across India.

What is it?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most familiar type of Dementia. This progressive disease usually begins with mild loss of memory. It further leads to an inability to carry out normal conversations and respond to the environment. It involves parts of the brain that control your thoughts, memories, and language, seriously affecting a person's ability to perform chores.[1]

Who’s most likely to get affected?

It most commonly occurs in people over the age of 65. But it can also be seen in people below the age of 65. 1 in 14 people over the age of 65, 1 in 6 people over the age of 80, and 1 in 20 people under the age of 65 are thought to be affected by it. This shows that the risk of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia increases with age.[2]

Knowing who is affected doesn’t necessarily solve the issue, but understanding the cause can help you treat it.

The abnormal build-up of proteins, in and around the brain cells, is interpreted to be the cause of Alzheimer’s disease. Deposits of one of the proteins involved, called “Amyloid”, form plaque around the brain cells. While, deposits of another protein called the “Tau’, form tangles within the brain cells.

There's also a decrease in chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, due to the brain cells being affected by the protein deposits. Individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s, particularly have lower levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Over time, different areas of the brain shrink. The first areas to be affected are responsible for memories and thus one of the first symptoms of a suspected case of Alzheimer’s is impaired memory.[2]

Some of the other common warning signs are below

1. Asking the same questions repetitively
2. Misplacing things
3. Trouble handling money and bills
4. Lack of judgement
5. Forgetting familiar places, events, and people
6. Unable to perform chores [1]

Knowing the warning signs can help know the ways to prevent it as well. Food can be one of the ways that help in delaying Alzheimer’s.

Food affects every aspect of our life, whether we like it or not. Our gut health, which is crucial for keeping us healthy is impacted as well. As we age, our immunity decreases, either because of chronic or lifestyle diseases or due to their influence on the gut microbiome.[4]

Evidentially, it is believed by scientists that consuming a MIND (Mediterranean- DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet can be effective in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. It is a hybrid of a DASH and a Mediterranean diet and focuses on how the food groups included can help enhance brain health.[3]

How does it work?

It mainly focuses on plant-based foods and the ones that are minimally processed, limiting animal-based foods, and added or refined sugars. This diet also focuses on portion control but usually contradicts other weight loss diets.

The food groups that are suggested to be consumed are rich in various nutrients including lots of fibre. These prevalent nutrients such as Vitamin E, Folate, Omega-3 fatty acids, Carotenoids, and Flavonoids are thought to boost brain health.

According to a study, those who follow a MIND diet strictly might lower their chances of Alzheimer’s by 53%. While those following it moderately will lower the chances by 35% chance. The diet emphasizes 10 food groups that you should include and 5 that should be limited.

Food groups to include;

1. Green leafy vegetables (1 servings daily)
2. All other vegetables (2 or more servings per day)
3. Berries (2 or more servings per week)
4. Nuts and seeds (5 or more servings per week)
5. Olive oil (daily)
6. Whole grains (3 or more servings per day)
7. Fish/seafood (1 or more servings per week)
8. Beans (4 or more servings per week)
9. Poultry (2 or more servings per week)
10. Wine (1 glass per day, can be skipped as well)

Food groups to limit;

1. Butter/margarine
2. Cheese
3. Red meat
4. Fried foods
5. Sweets and pastries[3]

Alzheimer’s Disease cannot be cured but surely can be delayed by diet and physical activity. Including foods that help in keeping your brain healthy is vital. Engaging people affected in activities they like can be useful. Both mental and physical exercise can be beneficial for brain health. One of the priorities should be to be patient with those suffering from Alzheimer’s.