by Caroline St Clare

Created on: August 04, 2010

It's a sad fact of life that the older we become the more likely we are to develop dementia. And unfortunately there is little we can do to prevent it. This debilitating disease affects around a quarter of people aged over 80 with women accounting for two thirds of sufferers. Generally, scientists and doctors agree that while some drugs can be used to slow down progression of the disease, it can't be reversed or halted. However, one form of dementia is linked to nutrition and is therefore considered to be the most treatable form.

Dementia affects people in different ways but mostly symptoms involve the deterioration of mental capability affecting speech, memory, movement and personality. There are actually several types of dementia with Alzheimer’s disease probably the most well known. Others include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. Of these, it is vascular dementia which may be prevented through good nutrition because it is caused by blockages to blood vessels connected to the brain.

Weight

One of the first areas to look at is your weight. Being overweight can lead to high blood pressure which in turn can increase your risk of vascular dementia. If your BMI is over 25, you should take steps to try and get your weight down until your BMI falls to a normal range of 20-25.

Diet

Anyone eating an unhealthy diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol is more likely to have higher levels of cholesterol in their bloodstream. This in turn can eventually lead to blocked arteries which can cause heart disease. Therefore, anyone at risk of heart disease through poor nutrition is also at risk of developing vascular dementia.

Some foods are very high in saturated fat so you should try to avoid eating them completely or at least only occasionally. Worst offenders include pies, butter, cream, hard cheese, cakes, cookies, sausages and anything containing trans-fats, hydrogenated vegetable fat or palm oil. Also take care to limit your salt intake to no more than five grams a day, about a teaspoon.

Dementia preventative foods

Generally, you should aim to eat a diet high in fiber and low in fat and with at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. And try to include a little olive oil in your daily diet. A study found that an olive oil compound called oleocanthal appeared to slow down changes in the brain that lead to Alzheimer’s. Although olive oil is calorie rich, it's healthy since it is high in monounsaturated

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