As we grow old, our bodies continue to change, making us more prone to different types of a medical conditions. Although these changes seem inevitable, there are several ways for us to make sure our body is having the right nutrition, which improves our overall health. Furthermore, various medical disorders are common when we reach the mid-60s; a perfect example of this is Alzheimer’s disease.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a common medical disorder for people in their mid-60s. It is a progressive brain disorder that gradually affects the memory and thinking skills of a person. This disorder continues to damage the brain until the person is having problems performing simple tasks.
There are two types of Alzheimer’s disease: late-onset type and early-onset type. The late-onset type is more common, wherein its symptoms are initially found in people during their mid-60s. On the other hand, the early-onset type is a rarer variation of the disorder where it starts to show symptoms in a person as early as thirty years old. Because of the effects of Alzheimer’s disease in a person, it could lead to other brain disorders in older adults, which include dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who was the first person to conduct medical studies related to the disease. During the start of the 20th century, Dr. Alzheimer initially observed the changes in the brain tissue of a woman. The changes in the woman’s brain tissues caused various symptoms, including memory loss, language problems, and unpredictable behavior. The woman eventually died due to her unusual brain disorder. After the woman died, Dr. Alzheimer conducted a study on her brain and found several abnormal clumps, along with tangled bundles of fibers.
Ever since, Alzheimer’s disease has been widely recognized for such features, which include the plaques and tangles in the brain. Loss of connection between nerve cells is also a common feature in people with the disease, causing different mental problems. Furthermore, there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are different treatments that can be done to help relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life for Alzheimer’s patients.
The Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables to Alzheimer’s Patients
As mentioned earlier, Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that does not have any cure. However, there are several treatments to fight the disease and helps provide quality life to the patient. Besides support and comfort from the patient’s loved ones, another excellent treatment for Alzheimer’s disease is eating fruits and vegetables.
Eating fruits and vegetables is a great way to provide nutrition to our body. Ever since we are young, we have been taught to eat fruits and vegetables to make us fit and healthy. As we grow old, our bodies could benefit more from eating healthy foods. Fruits and vegetables could be consumed in different ways: raw, cooked, or juiced. Juicing is a great alternative to turn fruits and vegetables into a healthy drink. There are various ways to prepare a fruit or vegetable juice; you can use the traditional juicer or a cold press juicer. Either way, drinking juiced fruits or vegetables could have a significant impact on your health.
Fruits and vegetables may not entirely cure Alzheimer’s disease, but they could help in lowering the risk and improving the quality of life. Most fruits and vegetables contain a compound called flavonols, which help in preventing the disease. Studies show that people with low flavonol intake are more prone to develop Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who are fond of eating fruits and vegetables.
While most fruits and veggies are great for our health, there are specific fruits that work best to keep our memories sharp. These fruits include blueberries, pineapples, grapefruits. Veggies that are packed with protein are also effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease; these include edamame, broccoli, and quinoa. These are only some of the brain-boosting foods that are best for Alzheimer’s disease. Consuming these fruits and vegetables is excellent for treating this brain disorder, helping the patient maintain a strong and sharp mind. With or without Alzheimer’s, always be mindful of eating fruits and vegetables to improve overall health and prevent problems in the future.