What Not To Eat When You Have A Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Mild cognitive impairment is a slow loss of memory and one’s ability to think. It is noticeable to the patient himself, his family and friends. It creates problems related to language, thinking, memory and judgment. These impairments of one’s memory, language, thinking, and judgment are faster than normal age-related changes. These changes are noticed by the affected person himself, his family and close friends. It is not a serious condition to influence one’s normal daily life and independent function. It affects 15 to 20 % of old people above the age of 65 years. Normally, these changes do not get worse and get better on its own.^[1] Only a few cases of mild cognitive impairment may transform into dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurological problems.

What Not To Eat When You Have A Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Diet has a little role to play in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment. However, modification in the diet can slow down the progress of mild cognitive impairment to dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological problems in old age. The dietary items that should be avoided in mild cognitive impairment are-

Animal products such as red meat, etc.
High-saturated food that contains a high amount of saturated fat like processed hydrogenated oil, trans fat or processed vegetable oil
High fat-containing dairy food like butter, whole fat cheese
Fast food like pizza, patties, burger, microwave popcorn
Deep fried food like French fries, fried chicken, fried meat, fried fish
High spicy food
High sugary items such as soda, desserts and natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, etc.
White carbohydrate like pasta, bread, white rice, etc.
Gluten-free diet as gluten can promote the formation of beta-amyloid plaques to a greater extent^[2]

If you want to eat a diet high in sugar, then you can opt for it only once a week. Diet should contain low sugar, low carbohydrate, low fat and anti-inflammatory to ensure good health of the brain.

Mild cognitive impairment is a condition characterized by a slow reduction of one’s abilities to think or remember anything. This may happen due to the aging process and other damages to the brain cells. It is a noticeable, recognizable and measurable condition that develops mostly after the age of 65 years. It is not a harmful condition to deteriorate one’s daily life and independent function. It can be managed, slow down and even reversed with lifestyle and diet modification.

Treatment For Mild Cognitive Impairment

The treatment of mild cognitive impairment does not depend on one method of treatment. Lifestyle and diet modification plays an important role in the management of mild cognitive impairment. It also relies on the removal of the cause of the disease.

The main aim of treatment in such cases is to rehabilitate and management of their symptoms. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) have not approved any specific medicine or treatment for mild cognitive impairment. Physicians may use cholinesterase inhibitors (usually used for Alzheimer’s disease) to treat memory loss. Treating the cause of mild cognitive impairment can cure mild cognitive impairment for example if high blood pressure is kept in control can treat mild cognitive impairment.^[3]

Alzheimer’s Association state that lifestyle changes can influence mild cognitive impairment and slow down its possible progress to dementia. Lifestyle changes can even reverse the case. These lifestyle changes that must be adopted are-

Regular exercises
Cessation of smoking to enhance cardiovascular health
Introduction of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, low-fat products, whole grains, and cereals
Active participation in memory boosting activities, social and physical activities^[4]

Conclusion

Mild cognitive impairment is a condition in which there is a slow decline in the cognitive abilities of a person. It is a harmless condition and it does not interfere with one’s routine and independent function to great extent. Avoidance of high fat, high carbohydrate food with the other changes in the diet and others discussed above can slow down the aging process and progress of the condition.

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What Not To Eat When You Have A Mild Cognitive Impairment?