Diet to Improve Dementia

According to information from the medical website Medline Plus, dementia is a blanket term referring to a decline in the functionality of the brain occurring as a result of diseases like Alzheimer's and strokes. Symptoms of dementia include alterations in sleeping patterns, impaired recognition, impaired problem-solving ability, motor system issues and memory problems. While dementia cannot be solved through diet, certain diets can help ease some of the symptoms of this condition.

Dementia Diet Theory

Understand the general theory behind an anti-dementia diet to help you better understand what must be done to accomplish the task at hand. An anti-dementia diet works by increasing overall consumption of foods which have been shown to help with the process of cognition, thereby increasing brain function and staving off some of the less severe symptoms associated with the disease. An anti-dementia diet is a not permanent solution, as it does not cure the condition but merely halts or slows its continued advance.

Dementia Diet

Consume a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, healthy unsaturated fats, seafood and legumes to curb the onset of early dementia or improve symptoms in cases of existing dementia. According to a study published in volume 1114 of the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, a Mediterranean-style diet can help to reduce the impact of dementia. While following this diet, attempt to consume differing types of seafood at least once per day, along with eating a fruit and a vegetable with every meal. Add in a dose of healthy fat from olives, avocados, olive oil or fish oil, and consume occasional servings of nuts, lentils, peas and red wine to round out the dietary intake. Avoid excessive consumption of red meat, processed foods, sugars, simple carbohydrates and other forms of alcohol while following this anti-dementia diet.