Add them to your diet.
Alzheimer's is a female disease , up to 70% of patients are female. And, unfortunately, each of us can get sick. Doctors warn: prevention should be started as early as possible. But it is important not only to train the brain, but also to load the body, as well as eat right. Trans fats, fast carbohydrates, sugar, alcohol — all this contributes to the formation of a dangerous protein that destroys neural connections and ultimately increases the risk of disease. However, some products that we used to consider healthy can also be dangerous.
Dangerous oil
A study was recently published in the journal Scientific Reports, the results of which show that regular consumption of rapeseed oil can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
The authors of the study, specialists from Temple University, divided laboratory mice into two groups . Animals from the first group ate as usual for half a year, and mice from the second group received two tablespoons of rapeseed oil daily. Six months later, the mice ran the maze so scientists could test their cognitive abilities.
It turned out that those animals that received rapeseed oil not only gained more excess weight, but also showed a sharp deterioration in memory.
The researchers suggested that regular consumption of rapeseed oil reduces the level of a protein called amyloid beta 1 -40, which fights dementia, in the brains of mice. This protein deficiency allowed amyloid plaques to surround their brain neurons, which reduced and damaged neural connections.
Of course, human studies are needed to be sure, but for now, doctors recommend limiting the consumption of rapeseed oil, replacing it with olive oil, for example.
And here are a few more foods that you should eat more often to reduce the risk of dementia.
Oily fish
Fish, especially those that live in cold northern waters, are rich in healthy fat, which contains a lot of omega-3 acids — very useful compounds that can reduce inflammation in almost all internal organs of a person. Regular consumption of oily fish (at least one serving a week) can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by 60%.
Nuts and seeds
Another source of omega-3 acids are nuts and seeds. In addition, they are rich in selenium and vitamin E, which also support brain health, and antioxidants, which greatly reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Tea
The most affordable source of antioxidants is a cup of tea. And it doesn't matter which tea you prefer: green, black or oolong — they are all rich in catechins, which help to cope with vascular damage and fight against the harmful effects of free radicals. And green tea is rich in epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which reduces beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles that damage the brain and increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
…and coffee
Morning coffee is your secret weapon in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. Coffee beans contain a chemical called eicosanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamide (EHT), which studies in rats have shown to protect against Alzheimer's disease. By the way, one cup of coffee “boosts” your memory and within an hour after you drink it, it will be easier for you to remember and process new information.
Dark chocolate
A few pieces of dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (and preferably without sugar) are a daily norm. Cocoa beans are rich in antioxidants called flavonoids, which literally rejuvenate the brain, as they increase blood circulation in the hippocampus area — the area of u200bu200bthe brain responsible for memory and information processing.
Green vegetables
Leaf lettuce, arugula , spinach, basil and parsley, other leafy greens — these delicious vegetables can «rejuvenate» the brain by 11 years! Sounds fantastic, doesn't it? In the meantime, it's true: leafy greens contain lutein, a special pigment that helps increase the amount of gray matter in the part of the brain that is responsible for memory and the ability to process information. And since we accumulate lutein throughout our lives, it's never too late (and never too early!) to start.
Berries
A few servings of berries a week — fresh or frozen — give us enough antioxidants to resist oxidative processes that reduce the protective function of the brain. A cup of blueberries or strawberries every morning will make your brain at least 2 years younger.