6 Reasons Following the Mediterranean Diet Wards Off Dementia

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6 Reasons the Mediterranean Diet Avoids Dementia in Victoria, BC

The Mediterranean diet encourages participants to eat plant-based foods, healthy fats, and fresh herbs and reduce red meat consumption. Proponents of the diet claim it is helpful for alleviating issues caused by heart disease and diabetes, and it can also be useful for staving off dementia. Eating along the guidelines of the Mediterranean diet can lower dementia risk in these six ways. 

1. Protects the Brain from Cell Damage

The fruits and vegetables included in the Mediterranean diet contain high levels of antioxidants. These beneficial compounds protect cells in the body from oxidative damage caused by stress, toxin exposure, and illness. This lowers inflammation and keeps the brain healthy.

Seniors with dementia may need assistance managing daily tasks and making healthier lifestyle choices. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, an in-home care provider Victoria, British Columbia, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

2. Reduces Cholesterol Levels

Many people follow the Mediterranean diet guidelines because they want to lower their cholesterol levels to boost heart health. This can increase brain health as well. Research has begun linking high cholesterol to memory loss and decreased cognition, so taking steps to lower cholesterol levels is probably wise.

3. Helps Maintain a Healthy Weight

The Mediterranean diet is great for weight loss because it encourages seniors to consume healthy fruits, vegetables, and legumes while cutting back on high-calorie foods like butter and red meat. Since obesity has been linked to higher dementia risks later in life, the weight-loss effect of the Mediterranean diet may be helpful in staving off dementia.

4. Lowers Blood Pressure

The foods in the Mediterranean diet are seasoned with fresh herbs instead of salts. This leads to lower blood pressure levels and a reduced dementia risk. High blood pressure levels put a lot of stress on delicate structures in the brain. Since high levels of sodium are one of the main reasons seniors develop high blood pressure, the Mediterranean diet’s ability to lower salt consumption is very important.

5. Contains Healthy Fats

The Mediterranean diet also lowers dementia risks because it encourages people to eat a lot of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. These unsaturated fats are found in fish, olive oil, and other frequently consumed items in the Mediterranean diet. They fight dementia by lowering inflammation levels and reducing plaque buildup. 

Older adults can reduce their risk of dementia and live happier, healthier lives with the help of professional in-home care. Find out how a Victoria, British Columbia, elderly caregiver can help your senior loved one enjoy a higher quality of life by reaching out to Home Care Assistance. All of our professional respite and live-in caregivers are trained in comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care, and they can also assist seniors with basic daily tasks like exercise, cooking, bathing, and light housekeeping.

6. Prevents Strokes

All the heart-healthy features of the Mediterranean diet work together to enhance the circulatory system and lower the risk of strokes. Each stroke a person has increases the risk for dementia. Taking steps to keep the circulatory system healthy and strong can reduce overall dementia risks.

Many families have no experience in specialized home care for seniors, which can make life a bit more challenging when an elderly loved one is diagnosed with dementia. The Victoria, British Columbia, dementia care experts at Home Care Assistance are here to help. We designed a program called the Cognitive Therapeutics Method, which uses mentally engaging activities to slow the progression of dementia, and all of our live-in and respite caregivers are expertly trained in dementia care. To create a comprehensive dementia home care plan for your aging loved one, give us a call at (250) 592-4881 today.

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