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Dementia & The Paleo Diet Alzheimer's disease-min

Dementia & The Paleo Diet

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Dementia is a serious health condition which causes the deterioration of the brain and although it is a disease which is most common in older people, it can also affect the young. The instances of dementia (of which Alzheimer's is perhaps the most well known type) are growing in modern society and although it has always been a major concern, awareness of the disease is higher than ever before.

In the past, we would have viewed the signs of dementia as a typical part of becoming older, but this is not the case as there are plenty of people of an older age who still have a fully functioning brain. The signs of dementia include a change in personality, memory loss and/or the inability to carry out simple everyday tasks. There are sufferers of dementia who can even lose the ability to eat which can then lead to further illnesses. The effects of dementia can be rapid or can happen over a long period of time.

Dementia not only has a major effect on the sufferer of the disease, it can also have a hugely negative effect on the family and friends of their loved one as they change into a completely different person to the one they love. The sufferer may even lose the ability to identify their loved ones which can be heart-breaking for friends and family to watch.

As the awareness of this disease increases, there are many people who believe that our diet can have a major influence on how likely we are to suffer from it. It is believed that the Paleo diet is one which can actually prevent dementia or stop it progressing to an incurable stage. There is evidence to suggest that there is a strong link between dementia and diabetes, an illness which is caused through an unhealthy diet and is most common in people who are overweight. In fact, referring to dementia as Type 3 Diabetes is becoming increasingly common.

Dementia & The Paleo Diet Alzheimer's disease-min

There are a number of foods which have a negative effect on the body and thus, can be detrimental for the functioning of the brain. Those foods which are high in sugar can contribute to diabetes and dementia which is why the Paleo diet can be beneficial in improving health and helping to combat the effects since these foods are not part of the diet.

A high intake of Omega 3 is known to improve memory and help improve the overall function of the brain, which is why they are a major part of the Paleo diet. If we start to increase the consumption of foods with Omega 3, including fresh fish and salmon at any stage in our lives, we can improve the function of the brain which will help to stave off the likelihood of dementia and other serious illnesses.

As the Paleo diet also promotes the intake of fruit and vegetables which contain an abundance of the key vitamins required for a healthy lifestyle, it can provide us with the sustenance which is essential to maintain a clear state of mind. There is also a link between a diet which is high in carbohydrates and dementia and no evidence to suggest that omitting these from the diet will result in any negative effects on the body.

As we strive towards a healthier body and state of mind for as long as possible, it is important to look closely at our diet and ensure we are eating foods which are rich in vitamins, protein and the right fatty acids, such as Omega 3. The Paleo diet offers a positive approach to ensuring we live a long and prosperous lifestyle by turning away from the foods which are high in carbohydrates and fat and rich in all of the right nutrients.

It makes sense that we should take a positive approach to our diets if we want to ensure we give ourselves the best possible chance of avoiding serious illnesses such as dementia. The Paleo diet is a simple one to follow and can offer a wealth of benefits to improving our overall health and wellbeing. A combination of the right food groups and an active lifestyle will increase oxygen to the brain which can seriously reduce our chances of suffering from dementia.

It is not only essential to take care of the appearance of our bodies but also to ensure we consume the right foods to maintain a good health. If we eat the right foods, we are not only feeding our bodies but also our brain which

Vitamin-B12-Paleo-Diet 680

Vitamin B12 & The Paleo Diet

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What are your Vitamin B12 levels like? You might follow a Paleo diet, but are your levels optimal? And if not, what can you do about it?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is still quite common – with this deficiency occurring even amongst  those of us Paleo diet followers who eat the richest source of Vitamin B12 – animals! Some of the symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency include depression and anxiety, lethargy, Autism spectrum disorder in children and (unwanted) weight loss. It can also show up with Alzheimer or dementia like symptoms.

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How can Vitamin B12 deficiencies occur?

Sometimes it can be as simple as us setting the bar for “normal” a little too low. While, on paper everything could check out and look normal, Vitamin B12 levels might still be too low and we could still be suffering from B12 deficiency symptoms. In countries like Japan they actually have higher “normal” B12 markers and in having a higher bar set they have less cases of dementia and Alzheimer’s. In many cases, as meat eaters, we don’t look for low Vitamin B12 levels – as we assume we eat meat we are getting plenty and Doctors don’t actually check for it.

Another issue is consuming sufficient Vitamin B12, but the body failing to absorb adequate quantities. For some who have stomach disorders such as Crohn’s disease, or have or suffer from diarrhoea it can affect your ability to absorb minerals, vitamins, nutrients from our food – this include Vitamin B12.

How can we reduce our risks of Vitamin B12 deficiency?

If you eat animal products regularly along with some offal, such as liver occasionally, you should be getting enough Vitamin B12 in your diet. There may also be no need to supplement your diet, if you don’t suffer from any of the symptoms mentioned above. If you do have some of the symptoms mentioned or you do suffer from a gastrointestinal disorder that might be limiting your ability to absorb Vitamin B12, then it is worth asking your doctor next time you visit if you can have your vitamin B12 levels tested. Of course, to be able to extract reasonable levels of Vitamin B12 from your diet, you need to be consuming good quality (grass fed and finished) meat. If the animal didn't have access to good nutrition, their meat won’t provide it to you either.
Primal Diet Supplements Mineral Vitamin Deficiencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you're Vitamin B deficient, you might find that you may be more susceptible to heavy metal toxicity, if your diet or body contains them – such as mercury, lead and cadmium. Vitamin B deficiency can also be linked to depression, with the B vitamins crucial for the direct synthesis of the brain neurotransmitters. Apart from the fact they are needed (along with folate) for the homocysteine pathways to provide methylation, which is essential for the making of neurotransmitters. It is these neurotransmitters that are involved with the production of homocysteine as well. Tests have shown that those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease have higher levels of homocysteine in their body. When the homocysteine pathway is functioning correctly it produces the depression relieving neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin.

Have you had your Vitamin B12 levels checked? Do you supplement, or ensure your diet provides optimal levels?