, Author at ReaDementia

Chocolate and Dementia – The Positive Effects

Several studies about chocolate and dementia reveal that it is beneficial for persons with the illness to consume chocolate.

One, in particular, explains that flavanols, a strong antioxidant present in chocolate, can reduce dementia risk by increasing blood flow to the brain and protecting brain cells.

Note that this is not just any other chocolate that you can pick off the shelf. We are speaking about dark chocolate, which is rich in cocoa (the bitter one and not the sugary alternative).

Experts recommend the consumption of dark chocolate because it is rich in flavonoids that protect the brain from oxidative stress.

The study that Mars funded involving 91 participants is not the only study with this conclusion.

Can Chocolate Relieve Dementia?

Let’s look at other studies that talk about the benefits of chocolate for those with dementia, as well as the persons who have not developed the disease.

A Study on Drinking Hot Chocolate

A group of researchers from Harvard revealed that drinking two cups of hot cocoa every day helps to boost memory and could prevent dementia.

Professor of psychiatry and aging, Dr. Gary Small, explains that there was a limit on cocoa consumption because it is possible to get too much even when it is a good thing.

Taking too much cocoa means that a person will gain too many calories, which is not healthy for the brain.

Back to the study, it was concluded that drinking cocoa everyday causes an 8% improvement in the way blood flows to the brain.

The study had 60 participants who did not have dementia with an average age of 73.

The volunteers consumed two cups of hot chocolate without consuming any other form of chocolate.

The experts were studying their thinking skills and memory. Those involved underwent ultrasounds to measure the flow of blood to the brain.

A majority of the volunteers recorded impaired blood flow to the vital body organ (brain). In the end, however, there was an 8.3% improvement in blood flow specifically to the brain’s working areas.

Within a month, the group also experienced enhanced working memory with scores of between 167 to 116 seconds.

To get accurate results in their quest to identify the link between chocolate and dementia, half of the participants were taking flavanol-poor hot cocoa, while the rest were consuming hot cocoa rich in flavanol.

This did not create any differences in terms of results.

The persons with regular blood flow at the beginning of the study did not experience any improvements. This is one of the studies that show it is not only dark chocolate that people should consume but the beverage as well.

Chocolate Offers a Calming Effect on Persons with Dementia

A new study on chocolate and dementia states that chocolate has a calming effect, especially for people who are in the last stage of dementia.

This is found in the AMDA (The Medical Director’s Association) publication. The article references a nurse in a nursing home in Phoenix, AZ, who was carried chocolate to offer agitated residents.

The explanation for this is that chocolate also contains caffeine, a neuro stimulant that increases neurotransmitter levels to enhance executive function and memory.

Starving Early Memory Decline Signs with Dark Chocolate

A different study published in Frontiers in Nutrition shows that taking dark chocolate regularly is mostly beneficial for people who have started to show signs of memory decline or mild cognitive impairment.

The study teaches people that individuals who eat chocolate every day have a better ability to process speed, memory, and attention spans.

A study from Columbia University Medical Centre conducted in 2014 also confirms that dietary cocoa flavanols reverse age-related memory decline in healthy seniors.

This was published in Nature Neuroscience. It offers direct evidence that a single component of memory decline related to age is a result of changes in a particular section of the brain.

The conclusion is that dietary intervention can improve this type of memory decline.

Benefits of Dark Chocolate for the Elderly

One more study on chocolate and dementia divulges that the benefits of taking dark chocolate daily are more prominent in elderly people.

Daily intake improved mental function, but this was subtle for the younger participants. Other factors that improved after taking dark chocolate include verbal fluency, attention, working memory, and processing speed.

Closing Thoughts

Other than flavanols, chocolate also contains several minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These are important for the brain and overall body health.

All these studies have opened up a conversation about chocolate and dementia.

This is because more intensive work still needs to be done to pinpoint the link between blood flow problems, cocoa, and cognitive decline.

While a cocoa-based treatment would be much welcome, it is still too early to jump on this option until scientists and other involved parties give it the green light.

Hopefully, researchers and other experts can speed this up so that people can know if it is true that chocolate can prevent or treat dementia.

Coconut Oil and Dementia – Cure or Myth

Rok Krivec Blog, Prevention January 20, 2021October 18, 2021coconut oil and dementia, dementia

On the quest to uncover options to cure and prevent dementia, numerous statements crop up one of them being about coconut oil and dementia.

Several studies suggest that people with dementia can use coconut oil to treat the illness.

The parties that brought this forward base this on the theory that the brain cells of persons with dementia cannot use glucose to produce energy resulting in the starvation of nerve cells effectively.

When the brain does not have enough energy, it will use energy from ketone bodies.

These bodies may offer an alternative energy source to the cells in the brain, moderating the damage that Alzheimer’s causes.

They believe that coconut oil can come in to help the brain with this alternative source of energy.

This is simply because the human body produces ketones by metabolizing coconut oil and other similar substances such as fatty acids.

The experts involved in explaining this connection between coconut oil and dementia have, however, not tabled adequate scientific evidence to back these claims.

This said it is not something that people should ignore. Especially if there is a possibility that the oil can be beneficial to individuals with dementia.

Can You Reverse Dementia With Coconut?

Let’s look at some of the milestones that experts have achieved concerning the use of coconut oil among individuals with dementia before concluding whether this is an angle worth pursuing, or it is just a myth.

Benefits of Coconut Oil for the Body

Before diving deeper into the subject of coconut oil and dementia, it is best to discuss general ways the oil affects the mind and body.

Years of research reveal that coconut oil is great for the entire body. Experts recommend that people should consume non-hydrogenated, cold-pressed, organic virgin coconut oil.

This is a heart-healthy oil option that does not have any trans-fats or cholesterol. The oil offers numerous benefits, such as:

Improving brain health
Enhancing the way the body uses insulin
It is great for the health of hair and skin
Increases good cholesterol (HDL) hence improves cholesterol levels
Acts as a natural antibiotic and antioxidant
Boosts thyroid function

Going by all these perks that the oil offers, it is hard not to see why it is important to discuss further the issues on whether persons with dementia can benefit from using coconut oil.

Studies That Support Use of Coconut Oil to Treat Dementia

Dr. Mary Newport is one of the advocates of coconut oil as a treatment for dementia.

She claims in her book “Alzheimer’s Disease: What If There Was a Cure? The Story of Ketones” that her husband Steve benefitted a great deal from the consumption of coconut oil while suffering from dementia.

According to Mary, it did not take long for her husband to record significant improvements after he started consuming the oil.

A neonatal physician, Dr. Mary, decided to include coconut oil in her husband’s diet because she was already familiar with the MCT oil supplements gotten from coconut oil to feed premature infants.

She gave Steve, her husband, coconut oil, and supplemental MCT oil so that it could feed his brain directly, bypassing glucose metabolism.

Dr. Newport documented his progress as well as her struggle to convince the medical establishment to consider the use of MCT oil and coconut oil treatment in treating dementia.

In many circles, this is a topic that remains highly controversial.

A study from the University of Oxford also supports the use of coconut oil for people with dementia.

A person can experience short-term benefits

It states that individuals with dementia can experience short-term benefits from the use of coconut oil.

The research basically supports Dr. Newport’s theory that coconut oil can indeed enhance cognitive function.

Dr. Mary explains that ketones, which are by-products of fat breakdown in the body, play an essential role in the health of the human brain.

The primary idea here is that consumption of coconut oil boosts ketones, which enhances cognitive function.

Healthy oils/fats are healthy for brain

A member of the medical advisory board of Nutritional Magnesium Association Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, also supports the idea that persons with dementia can get relief by taking coconut oil.

According to her, different cultures across the globe have celebrated the potential health benefits of coconut oil. For a long time, the oil has been used as a natural skin softener, hair strengthener, and anti-fungal treatment.

Moreover, Dr. Dean says that she first witnessed the strength of coconut oil while working with people with HIV.

There were multiple cases where persons with the disease said they felt better after the oil.

She further goes on to state that other than coconut oil and dementia, the oil may be beneficial for persons who have other incurable diseases like ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Parkinson’s disease or even multiple sclerosis.

Closing Thoughts

Currently, there is no strong evidence confirming that people with dementia can use coconut oil to treat or prevent dementia and some of its symptoms.

Industry experts need to conduct more extensive research, experiments, studies, and clinical trials on the topic of coconut oil and dementia.

This way, people will get to know whether it’s true that coconut contains dementia healing properties, or it is just a myth.

If you are interested in learning all about CBD oil and dementia, as well as olive oil, we have full articles written on the topic of cannabidiol.

Pseudodementia – An Overview

Rok Krivec Blog, Types January 20, 2021September 3, 2023dementia, depression, pseudodementia

Leslie Kiloh, a psychiatrist, came up with the term Pseudodementia (PDEM) in 1961.

In short, describes a range of dementia-like symptoms.

These may include hysteria, depression, and schizophrenia.

Experts agree that depression is the major culprit that makes people feel as though they have dementia.

Also known as depression-related cognitive dysfunction, there are three primary cognitive components that Pseudodementia involves:

I. Deficits in executive functioning
II. Problems with memory
III. Challenges with language and speech

People who go through this worry too much about their experience a high percentage assuming that they have dementia.

Thankfully, this is not the case because the psychiatric conditions that a person goes through while dealing with this form of cognitive impairment are reversible through treatment.

If the treatment of depression, hysteria, or schizophrenia is successful, then the cognitive symptoms also go away.

Pseudodementia Background

Even though people were using the term Pseudodementia before, it was not until Kiloh published a paper titled “Pseudo-dementia” in 1961 that many others took up interest.

The Scientific journal Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica published her paper that presented vignettes of ten people a majority with depressive features.

This sparked a huge debate opening up areas of scientific study and research examining whether it is possible to reverse cognitive deficits in depression cases and whether these end up causing dementia in the long-run.

Symptoms of Pseudodementia

Persons with PDEM might experience a wide range of symptoms. Most of these usually overlap with those of individuals with dementia.

Examples of the symptoms may include:

Anxiety
Delayed motor response
Difficulty making decisions or completing tasks
Trouble remembering things
Difficult times communicating with others
Lower processing speed
Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
Hypersomnia or insomnia
Fatigue
Loss of appetite or overeating
Suicide thought
Cognitive impairment is mostly seen in middle-aged and older adults

Diagnosis

There have been very many misdiagnosis cases of people who have Pseudodementia because a majority usually conclude that they have dementia. Thus, start getting into a lifestyle to manage the illness because it still has no cure.

This is especially in cases that touch on elderly persons who experience negative changes in behavior or thinking.

Statistics suggest that between 2-32% of seniors who experience cognitive problems may not have dementia.

Proper diagnosis is also tricky because some older adults can experience both PDEM and dementia.

It is, therefore, crucial for a person to go through an extensive clinical interview. This helps to reveal essential clues that professionals can use for proper diagnosis.

A GDS (Geriatric Depression Scale) may also be necessary. It can help differentiate between dementia and other forms of cognitive disorders.

Most of the time, medics and geriatricians will combine this with current functioning and medical history to come up with a diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Pseudodementia

It is important to note that even though this is a reversible cognitive disorder, treating it is still complex.

This type of cognitive dysfunction requires a combination of treatment modalities that may include psychotherapy, drugs, or a combination of both.

Various treatments can help with this condition such as:

1. CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)

This generally seeks to enhance the mood of a person going through conditions like depression. It involves the changing and exploring of behaviors as well as thought patterns.

2. Interpersonal Therapy

The other treatment option that experts recommend is interpersonal therapy. This mostly focuses on the relationships of the impaired individual.

Professionals seek to identify if these have any link between the relationships and feelings of depression.

3. Antidepressants

Some antidepressant drugs can help to eliminate cognitive dysfunction brought about by depression.

Keep in mind that depression has different causes; thus, treatment may vary from one person to the next, depending on what is most suitable.

How PDEM differs From Dementia

There are clear differences between dementia and cognitive impairment that mimics the illness.

This is one of the factors that can help to reduce misdiagnosis.

For instance, when looking at the history of dementia, you will notice that it is stealthy while this cognitive decline is quick and short.

Doctors usually test the memory of individuals to know whether they have reversible cognitive impairment or dementia.

This may involve asking several questions. For persons with this depression-related cognitive dysfunction, the answer will always be they do not know.

Concentration and attention, however, are usually intact though affected persons may appear as though they are upset.

It is a different case with dementia because individuals with the illness have poor concentration and attention, give out wrong answers, and typically appear like they are unconcerned.

Persons with PDEM might also complain about their memory but do reasonably well when it comes to mental status tests and exams that evaluate cognitive function.

On the other hand, people with dementia may deny experiencing any memory problems, but they do not do well with cognitive exams.

Most people with the reversible cognitive disorder will not show signs of severe mood swings.

The opposite is true for people with dementia because many showcase an extensive range of emotions where some have inappropriate responses like crying when everyone else is laughing.

If you found value in this article, then you may also enjoy reading our other article titled What is Pseudodementia?

Binswanger’s Disease – All You Need to Know

Rok Krivec Blog January 20, 2021September 9, 2023binswanger, binswanger's disease

There are different forms of dementia, one of them being Binswanger’s disease (BD).

This is a type of small vessel vascular dementia that occurs when there is damage to the white brain matter.

The progressive disease is also known as SAE (subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy) or subcortical leukoencephalopathy.

The illness mostly affects seniors who are between the ages of 54-66. Moreover, the disease was first described in 1894 by Otto Binswanger when he claimed that dementia can also be caused by vascular insufficiency.

In 1902, Alois Alzheimer started to study Otto’s work and supported his hypotheses and ideas; thus, decided to name it after Binswanger.

However, modern-day investigations of the illness did not begin until 1962; reason Olszewski gets much credit for the disease.

Causes of the Illness

As aforementioned, Binswanger’s disease develops where there is damage to the brain’s white matter. This can be brought about by several factors, such as:

Old age
Chronic hypertension
Diabetes
Blood clots (thromboembolism)
CADASIL disease
Smoking
Heart disease

When there is widespread damage to the deep layers of the brain’s white matter, it results in the narrowing and thickening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) that feed the brain’s subcortical areas.

The arteries continue to become narrower which affects blood supply and eventually, the brain tissues die off.

Binswanger’s Disease Symptoms, Treatment, and Prognosis

Binswanger’s Disease Symptoms

Symptoms of BD typically relate to the disruption of subcortical neural circuits that control executive cognitive functioning.

Some of the signs that characterize the disease include:

Mood changes
Loss of memory
Loss of intellectual function
Stroke
Mental deterioration
Language disorders
Muscle ataxia
Transient ischemic attack
Impaired movement that can including changes in how a person walks
Changes in posture
Depression

Some of the symptoms above may coincide with other warning signs such as fainting, epilepsy, uncontrollable bladder, and multiple falls.

The disease generally affects processing speed which causes impaired concentration.

As a result, it becomes challenging to do daily tasks like driving, meal preparation, and managing finances.

Diagnosis

To diagnose the illness, experts normally rely on clinical examinations as well as MRI, CT scan, or proton MR spectrography.

Indications of the disease usually include lesions, enlargement of ventricles, infractions, loss of intensity of the white matter, and leukoaraiosis.

Some doctors also conduct MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) to assess the level of cognitive impairment.

This also serves as a screening test for dementia.

Treatment and Management

Just like many other forms of dementia, Binswanger’s disease does not have a cure.

Studies also reveal it is the most severe impairment of all vascular dementias. To manage the illness, doctors recommend treating the cause of poor perfusion in the brain like diabetes or chronic hypertension.

Persons with this illness may also benefit from donepezil a type of Alzheimer’s medication.

The drug whose trade name is Aricept increases acetylcholine in the human brain.

It does this by deactivating the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine through a choline esterase inhibitor.

Acetylcholine is important in the brain because it aids in the restoration of normal levels of neurotransmitters.

The medicine may help to enhance the ability to function, memory, and awareness.

Antidepressants like citalopram and sertraline may work well for persons with anxiety or depression.

Antipsychotic drugs like olanzapine and risperidone may also be necessary when the person with BD also showcases symptoms of disruptive behavior and agitation.

Memantine is another drug that can aid in enhancing cognition and stabilization of global functioning.

If a person with the illness does not take drugs, the disease will worsen as time goes by because damage to the white matter will be ongoing.

It is also important to note that the disease may affect different people in different ways. This is why experts base treatment on the symptoms and signs that are present in each person.

Because it is a progressive disease, behaviors that slow down the progression of diabetes, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis can also decrease the rate of BD progression.

This includes maintaining healthy sleep/wake schedules, eating healthy diets, keeping fit, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption.

Prognosis

Because the disease has no cure, it means that persons with BD can only adapt to healthy life choices and working closely with medics to live as long as possible.

Depending on the weak person, the progression of the illness may either be gradual or sudden before going ahead to progress in a stepwise manner.

The disease may also coexist with Alzheimer’s disease.

Is Binswanger’s Disease Inherited?

Experts do not consider BD as an inherited disease. Nonetheless, genetics may play a role in some of the risk factors and conditions that relate to the illness like blood clots and atherosclerosis.

Research Being Conducted

Researchers and other stakeholders continue to conduct extensive research on Binswanger’s disease. Many institutions take up research in laboratories and some also focus on clinical trials.

A high percentage of the study focuses on finding better ways to treat, prevent, and finally cure the neurological disorder.

Turmeric and Dementia – Can It Help?

Rok Krivec Blog, Prevention January 19, 2021October 18, 2021dementia, turmeric, turmeric and dementia

Researchers continue to look into the connection between turmeric and dementia after multiple studies suggest that the spice can prevent or treat dementia.

One of the actualities that prompted this study, according to thetruthaboutcancer.com, is the fact that India records the lowest dementia rates in the globe, seeing that they consume about 25-50mg of turmeric daily.

Experts believe that this prevents brain inflammation reason the country does not have too many dementia cases where you compare it to other parts of the globe.

The exact reason for this is still unknown, and the statistic may not be accurate. What is clear is that people in India generally consume more turmeric than individuals in other parts of the world.

Why do experts think that this old spice can be useful concerning the potential treatment for dementia?

Below we will study some of the findings that mostly come from lab-based studies.

Effects of Turmeric on Dementia

Curcumin Breaks Down Amyloid-Beta Plaques

While looking into turmeric and dementia, many experts focus on curcumin, which is a turmeric extract that has high concentrations in the root.

This is a chemical that is known to have strong anti-inflammatory, anti-amyloid, and anti-oxidant properties, amongst many others.

Multiple studies state that the chemical can prevent the formation as well as break up of amyloid-beta plaques.

The latter is a hallmark of dementia disease.

The plaques accumulate between nerve cells and impair brain function by damaging synapses. These are the structures that nerve cells use to transmit signals.

Some studies also suggest that the extract can help to prevent the accumulation of tau in the brain.

Animal research also indicates that the chemical can also help to curb oxidative stress and inflammation factors. The two contribute to the development of dementia.

Clinical studies are yet to report similar results. Unfortunately, it is still unclear how curcumin works in the human brain.

Turmeone Stimulates Growth of New Brain Cells

Other than curcumin, experts are also looking into the role that turmerone can play in treating or preventing dementia.

This is yet another chemical present in turmeric.

In several animal studies, turmerone has been seen to stimulate the stem cells that foster the growth of new brain cells. In theory, this is an important factor that can be of assistance in neurodegenerative illnesses such as dementia.

This study is still in its initial stages. There is no telling whether it has an identical effect on people’s stem cells.

Experts are also trying to figure out whether the production of new brain cells is in any way beneficial to persons who already have dementia.

Turmeric Enhances Mood and Memory

While discussing turmeric and dementia it is prudent to mention that results from various studies ascertain that turmeric consumption helps to enhance memory and mood.

Researchers believe that this benefit comes from the fact that curcumin can decrease the accumulation of tau and amyloid.

This is through lowering of cholesterol levels, enhancing antioxidant capacity, and reducing neuroinflammation to help the body fight against dementia.

A study published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry reveals that taking curcumin on a daily basis can help to prevent memory issues and, in some cases, improve them all together.

This was after a study conducted at UCLA publicized that taking curcumin can improve memory function. Nut just that, but negative emotions like depression, too.

The study had 40 participants aged between 50-90 years who had varying memory complaints. Participants were given 90 mg of curcumin two times a day as a placebo for 18 months.

People who were on curcumin reported that they experienced significant improvements in their attention abilities and memory.

The group that was on placebo did not have the same results.

How to Effectively Take Turmeric

Many people will just add turmeric to their diets, hoping to reap all its benefits.

While this works, it is important to state that only a small percentage gets into your bloodstream after you eat food with turmeric.

This is because the body does a poor job regarding the absorption of turmeric. It is stomach acid that quickly degrades the spice.

Research has also revealed that turmeric dissolves in fats because it is not water-soluble.

This implies that the best form to consume turmeric is through supplements that have some type of oil or have an enteric coating so that the bloodstream absorbs a high percentage of the spice.

If you or a loved one wishes to take turmeric to help combat dementia, it is advisable to consult your doctor first so that the professional can guide you accordingly.

Final Thoughts on Turmeric and Dementia

Evidence that the spice plays a role in the prevention or cure of dementia is still scarce. It is, therefore, impossible to conclude whether or not turmeric will be a game-changer in regards to the treatment of dementia.

Extensive work and researches are still necessary on the topic of turmeric and dementia.

It is crucial because the popular spice may be the solution that the industry has been desperately looking for.

Food Cravings and Dementia

Rok Krivec Blog January 19, 2021February 27, 2022dementia, food cravings

One of the topics that crop up frequently with people taking care of persons experiencing cognitive decline is food cravings and dementia.

Many people who have dementia will often go through drastic changes in what they prefer to eat where they majorly have unhealthy cravings.

This mostly happens because taste buds become less sensitive as the disease progresses.

Healthy young adults normally have around 10,000 taste buds allowing them to detect all types of tastes from sweet, sour, spicy and salty.

By the time a person celebrates their 70th birthday, the number of taste buds will reduce by over 60%. This implies that impaired people no longer experience flavor or taste food as they did in the past.

It can make them feel as though the food they are eating is boring and bland.

As people age, the production of saliva also decreases, which makes seniors have a dry mouth, making the problem even worse.

The brain’s insulin levels also drop, leading many seniors to have intense cravings for sweet or high-calorie meals.

Experts also link unhealthy food cravings and dementia to the damage of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This is the section of the brain that helps humans have self-restraint regarding diet.

When it is affected in people with dementia, it often leads to food cravings.

The sense of smell also diminishes another factor that contributes to taste decline leading to cravings for additional salt, sugar, or calories.

Managing Food Cravings in People with Dementia

It is not healthy for people with dementia to feed their cravings, especially if all they want is high-calorie or sugary foods.

Caregivers must find a way to address the issue of food cravings and dementia so that the infected persons continue to consume healthy diets that are beneficial to their bodies.

Some of the steps that loved ones and professionals can take to address these cravings include:

Eating Meals Together

Most people who have dementia may eat the healthy meals you provide if you sit down and eat with them, rather than leave them to consume the food on their own.

It also helps to create a calm environment during mealtimes so that the person can focus on eating without too many distractions.

Offer Well-Balanced Meals

The only way that a person with dementia will get the nutrients they need is by eating balanced meals.

Most of the time, individuals will crave sweet things because they do not consume enough carbohydrates to provide their bodies with enough energy.

To prevent issues that arise with food cravings and dementia, it is prudent that the seniors do not skip any meals. Encourage him or her to snack even when they are not hungry.

In addition to vegetables and proteins, ensure that their meals are also packed with complex carbs like whole grains and healthy fats.

Including sweet healthy food options might also do the trick. These may include options like fruits, baby carrots, and the use of honey in meals sparingly.

You can also focus on giving the person more liquids like hot chocolate, soups, low-calorie ice cream, eggnog or milkshakes. Just make sure that whatever goes into their mouths has some nutritional value.

Engaging in Enjoyable Activities

Unhealthy cravings can lead to severe health problems in people who have dementia. Before the problem escalates, the person should replace their urge to eat “bad” food with a pleasurable activity.

It can be anything from calling a friend, dancing or listening to their favorite tunes, talking a walk, or taking a long relaxing bath, etc.

Scientists explain that the act of eating and food stimulates a feel-good mood because it stimulates the production of endorphins.

Go above and beyond to identify activities that make the seniors feel good so that you do not have to deal with the negative effects of food cravings and dementia.

This is because a person may want to overindulge in unhealthy food stuff because they are lonely or bored.

Check Medications for Side Effects

At times, seniors with dementia will experience food cravings because of the medicine they are taking. This is especially if they are on antidepressants, which are known to cause cravings for sugary stuff.

If this is the cause, discuss it with their doctor to get the way forward.

During the doctor’s visit, the professional should also conduct tests to ensure that no untreated illnesses are contributing to these unhealthy cravings.

Visiting a dentist is also recommended because sometimes, the craving problems arise because of issues like ill-fitting dentures, or gum diseases.

Strengthen the Part of the Brain Responsible for Dietary Restraint

Another option caregivers and people with dementia have when it comes to tackling food cravings and dementia is to take care of the section of the brain that deals with self-restraint and regulation.

They can easily accomplish this by making sure the weak persons get adequate sleep and they also participate in mental and physical exercise.

Do Coffee And Dementia Go Hand In Hand?

Rok Krivec Blog, Prevention January 19, 2021October 18, 2021coffee and dementia, dementia

Over the years, there has been a great interest in the topic of coffee and dementia.

Some studies reveal that it is possible to fight dementia with a cup of coffee. This may come as great news to individuals who need coffee to perk up their mornings.

Can coffee and caffeine reduce dementia?

An example of such a study is one that was conducted by Krembil Brain Institute in Canada.

Danish and Swedish researchers sought to find out if it is true that consuming coffee can lower the risk of dementia.

Too Much Coffee Is Not Good

There were 1409 participants in the study that were observed for 21 years. The researchers found that persons who drank 3-5 cups of coffee daily were less likely to develop dementia by 65% in comparison to the individuals who only took 2 cups or less.

Another study by Dr. Jonathan Geiger states that caffeine can help protect the brain by blocking damage that cholesterol causes hence reducing the risk of dementia.

This is after studying rabbits that were put on a fat-rich diet and were also given a caffeine supplement for protection.

He did this in a bid to investigate the blood-brain barrier an essential barrier between the main blood supply in the body and the brain.

Researches

Preceding studies reveal that high cholesterol levels in the blood create this barrier that might cause damage to the brain triggering the development of dementia.

The rabbits were on the diet for 12 weeks. Half of the animals were also on a supplement that is comparable to the caffeine amount that is present in a cup of coffee daily.

After the experiment, the researchers concluded that the blood-brain barrier in the animals on caffeine was more intact than in the rabbits that were not taking caffeine.

One more study seeking to explain the relationship between coffee and dementia was conducted by researchers in the United States of America. This uncovered that postmenopausal ladies who drink at least 2-3 cups or 261mg of caffeine daily.

They were at lower risk of developing cognitive impairment or dementia than the ones who consume less coffee.

Participants of this study were 6,467 women who were followed for a decade. In the end, it was revealed that the ladies taking more caffeine were at lower risk of cognitive functioning issues.

In this study consuming caffeine was based on a self-report meaning the decaffeinated drinks were not specified. It was assumed that all cola drinks, tea, and coffee were caffeinated.

The studies seeking to find out the relationship between coffee and dementia was also done on animals.

It was discovered that caffeine in animals lowers beta-amyloid plaque levels.

This is a biomarker that is associated with dementia.

Drinking coffee can help reduce vascular disease

Additionally, drinking coffee is also known to reduce the risk of vascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. These two are also common dementia risk factors.

In yet another study, researchers put caffeine in drinking water. They then fed it to transgenic mice that develop dementia-like symptoms where they reach around 8 months of age.

It was found that caffeine treatment reduced inflammation mediators. This also increased the levels of plasma of GCSF (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor).

The latter enhances the cognitive performance of the transgenic mice.

Worth noting is that the above studies on coffee and dementia are only observational.

This implies that they do not reveal causation as they only show correlation. Experts agree that coffee consumption may lower the risk of dementia but the beverage is not behind the decreased risks.

There is, however, a need for further evidence regarding the protective effect of coffee on dementia.

Researchers caution that there is still a need for more studies to confirm this theory.

Coffee and caffeine treatment for dementia?

Many experts are nonetheless optimistic that the findings may open up the possibility of the development of new dementia treatments. As well as dietary interventions that can modify dementia risk.

It is also important to mention that while studying coffee and dementia, some studies refute the claim that caffeine can prevent dementia.

These state that long-term caffeine consumption makes dementia symptoms worse.

Researchers from Sweden and Spain undertook one of the studies on normal aging mice as well as the ones that have dementia-like symptoms.

The results indicated that caffeine alters behavior in healthy mice and makes neuropsychiatric symptoms of mice even worse.

Furthermore, the experts explained that during the study, they discovered that caffeine has little benefit when it came to the memory and learning of rodents.

Even though many studies support the idea of coffee reducing the risk of dementia, it is not yet clear what the exact cause of dementia is.

In conclusion

This means that there is no clear way of preventing this illness.

Nevertheless, professionals advise on several things that you can do to reduce the risk.

These include reducing alcohol intake, quitting smoking, staying mentally active and physically fit. Lastly, it is important to consume a balanced healthy diet.

Dementia and Communication With a Patient

Rok Krivec Blog January 19, 2021October 18, 2021dementia, dementia and communication

When it comes to dementia and communication, caregivers and loved ones must acknowledge the fact that persons who have dementia may experience various challenges as they try to communicate.

While ill persons experience the progression of the disease differently, there are some common challenges that most people with dementia face, such as:

Repeating stories
Disorganized speech
Inventing new words
Leaning more to the use of native language, etc.

As time goes by, it may become more complicated to communicate with a person who has the disease.

This does not mean that you should write them off and never speak or listen to them again.

There are several strategies you can employ to communicate effectively with a person who has dementia.

1. Effective Strategies for Dementia and Communication

1. Get the Person’s Attention

It is crucial to start by getting the attention of the person you intend to speak to.

You can do this by approaching the person with the illness from the front to help them see you. It is also advisable to reduce any background noise that may be coming from the radio, TV, crying babies, etc.

Always identify yourself and address them by their names. It may help to repeat the name of the affected person a couple of times during the conversation.

Remember to keep expressions friendly. Keep in mind that the person with dementia wants undivided attention. Always show that you are willing to listen and comprehend what they are saying.

Practice patience when dealing with dementia and communications because the persons need some time to concentrate, understand, and come up with a response.

You may also want to meet the other needs of the suffering person first before you sit down and start having a conversation. This way, the person will not be hungry, thirsty, in pain, or uncomfortable when it is time to start talking.

2. Go Beyond Words

This is extremely important, especially during the later stages of the disease, when a person with the illness cannot express themselves properly.

Using hand gestures, eye contact, body language, touch, and facial expressions may come in handy when trying to communicate with a person who has dementia.

Examples of such are nodding your head for yes and shaking your head if you want to say no. You can do this even when voicing out the words as a reinforcement measure.

If it is possible to say something without letting it out, opt for this route.

Experts agree that a hug or warm smile may convey the message strongly so that you do not have to use actual words.

Remember that it is okay not to know what to say. Honest friendships and presence are the most valuable. Remember to stay close to the person you are talking to but not too close in a way that you are interfering with their personal space.

Your facial expressions and body language should always match what you are saying. This is because people with dementia are good at reading body language.

Tense facial expressions or sudden movements can make communication difficult as this may cause distress to the ailing individual.

3. Learn How to Speak

When facing dementia and communication issues, it is crucial to check how you speak. Always approach an affected person with a calm and clear tone.

You may want to peak at a slightly slower pace. This will give the person you are conversing with time to process the information you are trying to pass across.

Do not raise your voice or speak sharply. You should also avoid asking too many questions at once because this may lead to confusion and frustration.

Respect the person you are having a conversation with so that you are not talking down at them. You should also talk to them like grownups and do not address them like young kids.

4. Use Simple Language

When you are talking to a person who has dementia, it is not the time to showcase your prowess of complicated words.

It is advisable always to use simple, short and familiar words during conversations.

For instance, instead of saying hypertension, you can use the phrase high blood pressure.

Positive language is also crucial during the trying times of handling dementia and communication issues. Try and use short sentences that do not exceed five words so that you can convey one thought or message at a time.

If you are trying to give off directions, opt for one-step instructions. For example, let’s go for a walk, kindly lean this way, and lift your arm.

Always identify things and individuals by name avoiding the use of pronouns.

Rather than telling a person what not to do, it is better to suggest what they should do. This way, they will not feel as though you are trying to attack them because of their current situation.

5. Adapt To Changes

As time goes by, you may find that it becomes harder to deal with the problems that arise due to dementia and communication.

The person you are trying to talk to may start to misunderstand you constantly.

At this point, it is advisable to rephrase as an alternative to repeating what you have just said.

Adapt to the suffering person doing your best to understand their unique gestures and words. Redirect, or distract the person when they are facing stressful situations so that they can fast forget what is stressing them.

Always encourage the person with dementia to express their thoughts even when they find it increasingly difficult.

Do not, in any way, criticize, interrupt, argue or correct the person you are having a conversation with.

Adapting also means that you should make the most of the “good” days and try to cope during the “bad” ones.

Diabetes and Dementia – Are They Related?

Rok Krivec Blog, Causes, Prevention, Signs January 18, 2021December 19, 2023dementia, diabetes, signs of dementia

Scientists, over the years, continue to link diabetes and dementia. Does sugar have a negative effect on a dementia-infected brain?

There are over twenty million people with diabetes in America alone.

Around six million of these individuals do not even know that they have diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the USA.

What is Diabetes

Diabetes is an illness that decreases the ability of the body to convert sugar into energy. When a person with diabetes fails to control the condition, the blood remains with too much sugar.

Over time, this can lead to the damage of multiple organs in the body, including the brain.

It creates a dangerous spiral where the causes of diabetes can also result in mental deterioration.

Dementia, on the other hand, is a brain disorder that affects emotions, thinking, behavior and, to some extent, the ability to perform daily tasks.

It can reduce life expectancy as well as the quality of a person’s life.

Some studies reveal that people who have both diabetes and dementia die faster than the ones who only have dementia.

Researchers and scientists are finding more evidence linking diabetes primarily Type 2 diabetes to memory loss issues such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

However, it is worth mentioning that there is still no concrete evidence on precisely what cause’s dementia and how diabetes comes into play.

It is also worth mentioning that not everyone who has diabetes will end up with dementia.

Doctors, however, do know that high insulin or blood sugar levels can harm the brain in multiple ways like:

Causing Chemical Imbalance in the Brain

Your brain depends on several chemicals in the body to function properly. Too much insulin can affect these chemicals, causing an imbalance.

Such changes occurring in the brain can trigger dementia, as well as other illnesses.

Development of Other Medical Conditions

A person who has diabetes has a high risk of developing other medical conditions like:

Stroke
Heart disease
Joint and bone problems
Kidney diseases
Digestive problems
Nerve damage
Eye damage
Yeast infection

These could hurt organs like the heart and blood vessels as well.

Damaged blood vessels usually imply that the brain will not get enough oxygen and nutrients; another factor that can contribute to vascular dementia.

This is a kind of dementia that occurs because of brain damage that mostly comes about because of blocked or reduced blood flow to the brain.

Increasing Risk of Cerebrovascular Diseases

A high percentage of people who have diabetes are at high risk of developing cerebrovascular illnesses.

These are triggered by things such as oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance, and inflammation.

Additionally, as the brain continues to age, because of changes in amyloid metabolism and other related factors, it becomes easier to develop memory issues.

Structural changes in the brain show some evidence of the association between diabetes and dementia.

Affecting How the Brains Handles Insulin

Ongoing research also points out that the link between the two medical conditions may happen as a result of the ways that diabetes affects the brain’s ability to respond to insulin and use glucose (sugar).

Note that glucose is the main source of energy for the brain.

Therefore, when cognitive function is affected, because of low levels of blood glucose, the outcome can be severe neuronal damage.

Insulin resistance makes the body producing more insulin than necessary in a bid to keep the glucose levels within a healthy range.

This can also affect the brain in that high levels of insulin can damage small blood vessels and other brain cells. Insulin resistance also affects other parts of the body.

When not enough insulin is making its way to the brain, it does not only cause the brain to function normally. It can also be the cause of a person developing small strokes, which increases dementia.

Causing Inflammation

When there is a spike in blood sugar, it can easily lead to inflammation affecting the brain and other parts of the body. This naturally leads to the damage of brain cells.

It is another factor that can lead to the development of dementia.

Chronic inflammation often leads to the formation of tau tangles and amyloid plaques brain abnormalities that are hallmarks of dementia illness.

Increase the Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment

When talking about diabetes and dementia, it is worth noting that diabetes also contributes to the increased risk of developing MCI (mild cognitive impairment).

This is a condition where you end up experiencing more memory and cognitive (thinking) problems than the ones present as people age.

It is a set of symptoms where individuals struggle to remember things that they already know and also have issues with the ability to think.

Initially, these memory problems are usually not severe enough to bring about challenges with day-to-day living.

Eventually, some studies claim that people with MCI get dementia. MCI has been known to accompany or precede dementia.

Build-Up of Proteins in the Blood

Diabetes has also been known to contribute to the build-up of toxic proteins in the brain that is associated with dementia.

When there is too much protein in the brain, it disrupts the functioning of synapses, which are the connections that are formed between brain cells helping information to circulate to and from the brain.

The brain, at this point, may not be able to clear out the waste products.

In line with this, recent studies also reveal that elevated glucose levels in the blood can increase amyloid beta levels.

This is one of the significant components of brain plague in persons who have dementia. A build-up of plaque is thought to be a driver of complex changes in the brain leading to the development of different types of dementia.

Diabetes makes it challenging to control healthy levels of blood sugar.

This results in harmful effects on a person’s brain, increasing the risk of dementia onset.

When there is a lot of glucose in the blood, it may lead to increased neuron activity in the brain, which promotes the production of amyloid beta.

Type 1 Diabetes Causes Higher Risk of Dementia

Earlier, the article mentioned that most people with type 2 diabetes are likely to develop dementia as well.

There have also been other studies indicating that people who have Type 1 diabetes are also at risk of developing dementia.

Research shows that individuals with this type of diabetes typically face a higher risk of developing memory and thinking problems as they age compared to the general population.

Around 83% of seniors with type 1 diabetes are at risk of getting dementia as well.

With type 1 diabetes, a person’s immune system attacks insulin mistakenly triggering the production of beta cells in the pancreas. This leaves the persons with this type of diabetes with little or even no insulin in the body.

Insulin is an essential hormone in the body that enables the body to use up carbohydrates as fuel.

Individuals with type 1 diabetes are also at risk of getting hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) that could be another link between diabetes and dementia.

A Decline in Cognitive Function

It is common for people who have diabetes to experience a progressive decline in cognitive function. This has been recorded as one of the factors that usually cause the development of dementia.

The risk of getting one or more types of dementia is two-fold in seniors who have diabetes compared to their age mates.

This does not happen all at once but rather as the diabetes disease progresses, affecting more parts of the body.

With most diabetics, dementia is usually diagnosed after about three years of having diabetes.

Diabetes also accelerates issues like diabetic foot, microvascular diseases, cerebrovascular illnesses, acute metabolic events, and depression, among many others that may accelerate the onset of dementia.

Closing Remarks

When a person has one chronic disease, it is usually too much to deal with.

Sadly, there are some chronic illnesses like diabetes that frequently compound the effects of another to not only worsen the condition but also increase an individual’s risk of developing new conditions like dementia.

To stay healthy, it is important to work with your health care team to manage or prevent diabetes in a bid to reduce or completely avoid the complications it brings.

Proper diabetes management may involve things like:

Sticking to your doctor’s advice on how to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose.
Quit smoking.
Reduce alcohol intake.
Eating healthy foods including lots of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean meats, low-fat cheese, and milk.
Managing a healthy weight.
Keep physically active (try and work out at least thirty minutes daily).
Remain socially and mentally active and engaged to reduce the risk of getting dementia.
Taking any prescribed medication on time.
Examining your feet for sores on a daily basis.

Working with an effective diabetes prevention or management plan can successfully lower the development of various types of dementia.

There is still a need for further studies and research into the relationship between diabetes and dementia.

This way, we can fully understand the correlation to come up with the most appropriate solutions to tackle the conditions.

Vitamin E and Alzheimer’s Disease (Treatment)

Rok Krivec Blog, Prevention January 18, 2021October 18, 2021alzheimer's disease, vitamin e, vitamin e and alzheimer's

Several theories exist regarding the fight against AD (Alzheimer’s disease), including vitamin E and Alzheimer’s.

Researchers have proposed that vitamin E may be a potential clinical intervention for AD. This is after several bodies have conducted research to support this theory.

One study claims that a hefty dose of vitamin E taken daily can help slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Maurice Dysken, who was part of this study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, stated that patients who were given a vitamin E pharmacological dose experienced a slower decline in memory and thinking.

The study, however, also brought out the fact that the vitamin does not fight the cause of dementia, which implies that it is not a cure.

Vitamin E can help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s

The study with over 600 participants at different medical centers involved persons with moderate to mild Alzheimer’s. The large group was split into quarters where each received various types of therapy.

One group was receiving a dose of 2,000 IU (international units) of tocopherol a type of vitamin E. This constitutes a relatively large dose when you compare this to the multivitamins that most people take daily.

The other groups were getting Alzheimer’s medication known as memantine, which also has vitamin E or a placebo.

The results of the study showed that the participants taking vitamin E alone had a 19% reduction in the decline rate as compared to the persons on placebo.

This simply means that the persons taking vitamin E experienced over six months’ delays in Alzheimer’s progression, according to the researchers.

When it comes to vitamin E and Alzheimer’s, the delay can be very beneficial in persons who have the disease.

In persons with mild or moderate Alzheimer’s, this can mean more independence where individuals with the illness can do more daily activities without help from caregivers.

Researchers also concluded that participants of the study taking vitamin E alone needed fewer hours of daily care (about 2-3 hours less).

What is Vitamin E?

Now that you are aware of the link between vitamin E and Alzheimer’s, it helps to know that the vitamin is and its source.

Vitamin E refers to a fat-soluble compound that is majorly present in plants. The vitamin is an important micronutrient for humans.

It is helpful in the maintenance of cell membrane integrity. Experts recommend that your diet should have between 3-15 mg of vitamin E.

You mostly get the vitamin from edible oils and seeds like peanuts, almonds, palm oil, olive, canola, coconut, soybean, and corn.

These have high levels of tocotrienols and tocopherols. Plant foods, on the other hand, like vegetables and fruits, contain scarce quantities.

Is Vitamin E Safe for Individuals with Alzheimer’s?

Tackling the topic of vitamin E and Alzheimer’s means that it is essential to talk about this treatment option.

Experts’ advice that vitamin E therapy appears to be quite safe and persons taking it are not at risk of worsening symptoms or death.

However, not everyone will have the same reaction to high doses of the vitamin. It is, therefore, crucial to seek medical advice before taking the vitamin.

The doctor may ask several questions before giving the go-ahead such as:

1. Is dementia as a result of AD? This is because so far, only persons with Alzheimer’s reap the benefits of the vitamin. It may not work positively for persons who have other forms of dementia.

2. Are there other supplements a person is taking? This will let the medic know whether the individual should discontinue the other supplements.

3. What is the medical history of the suffering person? This determines if there will be a substantial risk of consuming vitamin E.

Does Vitamin E Prevent Alzheimer’s?

Studying the connection between vitamin E and Alzheimer’s demands that researchers also look into whether the vitamin can help to prevent the development of the disease.

Multiple studies revealed that taking vitamin E does not prevent AD from developing in healthy seniors. A study that took place over the course of eight years ascertains this fact.

This was done in a bid to highlight the challenges of finding appropriate treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other dementia forms.

Researchers opted to take this route with the study because vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that is known to protect cells in the human body, including cells present in the brain and blood vessels.

Antioxidants work by sopping up excess free radicals that damage cells ensuring that the cells remain healthy and strong.

Closing Thoughts

Regarding vitamin E and Alzheimer’s, there is still more research necessary to figure out how vitamins help persons with the disease.

Currently, researchers are still not sure about how vitamin E helps to slow down mental decline.

Perhaps it is due to its strong antioxidant properties that work for the benefit of individuals who have Alzheimer’s.