Diet Plays Key Role In Battle Against Alzheimer’s

(KNSI) – KNSI’s series exploring Alzheimer’s and dementia continues with a look at adjustments you can make to avoid the diseases. Alzheimer’s accounts for roughly 2/3rds of all dementia cases in the United States.

Dr. Pat Zook from the Dementia Community Action Network says many risk factors contribute to getting sick. Some are more prevalent than others and Zook says what you eat is likely the leading one.

“I would think diet is probably the most common and the most changeable and probably near the top of one of the most serious risk factors that can lead you to dementia.” Zook adds a caveat to that, “Now, it’s not like people have [only] one risk factor.”

Zook estimates the average person stricken by dementia to have 10 to 12 separate risk factors that play a role.

As far as changing your diet, the doctor says sweets are detrimental to more than your waistline.

“Too much sugar in the diet [causes problems], which is hard to avoid in the American diet, since they supplement more than 50 percent of the items on your grocery shelves with one form or another. The worst form is high fructose corn syrup.”

Zook also argues against processed foods and says that fiber is an important staple in your diet, which few people get enough of. Zooks says fruits are a good way to satisfy your craving for something sweet, while still eating healthy.

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.

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