naturopathic medicine can provide a great deal of support for patients dealing with alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive conditions.
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide and is the most common form of dementia. Risks for AD can include smoking, diabetes, hypertension, alcohol consumption, obesity, and increasing age as these can cause neuroinflammation within the body. While there is no cure for AD, naturopathic approaches offer a holistic perspective by focusing on lifestyle, nutrition, and complementary therapies.
As it is never too early to begin thinking about your cognitive health, here are some things you can start doing today to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Mediterranean Diet
Studies have shown that individuals who adhered to a Mediterranean diet were associated with a reduced risk of dementia and cognitive decline in comparison to individuals who did not adhere to the diet. The Mediterranean diet is a diet that emphasizes the consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats to lower inflammation within the body thus lowering the risk of developing AD.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Dietary intake or supplementation of omga-3 fatty acids has also been shown to help reduce risk of cognitive decline due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Foods rich in omega-3 include nuts and seeds including flaxseeds, walnuts and chia seeds or cold-water fish including salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring.
Vitamin D
Patients with AD have a higher prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency, low mood and impaired cognitive performance so ensuring that Vitamin D levels are being tested and supplemented accordingly with foods and fats is beneficial.
Yours in good health,
Sami Leung
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