Alzheimer's disease is a progressive
brain disorder that gradually destroys memory and the ability to think and
reason. Recent estimates show approximately 4 million people in the U.S. have
dementia, most with Alzheimer's disease. By 2050, that number could be as high
as 16 million.
However, by making some simple
adjustments in your diet to include foods high in folate, you can help reduce
your risk. According to research, older adults whose diets were high in folate
reduced their risk of Alzheimer's disease by half compared with those whose
diets contain less than the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA
Folate has also been shown to lower
blood levels of homocysteine, a risk factor for heart disease. High homocysteine
levels, as well as decreased folate and vitamin B-12 levels, have also been
associated with stroke and Alzheimer's disease.
A
healthy, well-balanced diet is your best option to get the folate you
need. Be sure it includes at least five
servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day. Foods rich in folate include
oranges and bananas, dark leafy green vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, liver,
and many types of beans and peas, including lima , lentil and garbanzo, as well as
fortified breads and cereals.
The
antioxidants in apples could help protect the brain from the type of damage
that triggers Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, according to recent
research. But it’s estimated that on average Americans only eat approximately
one-seventh of an apple per day, nowhere near enough.
Blueberries
are an awesome food choice as well to arm your body to combat declining mental
capacities. It’s also imperative to
choose unsaturated fats so your circulatory system stays healthy. Healthy blood flow and blood vessels lessen
the chance of brain damage due to strokes or compromised circulation.
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