What Is Dementia?
According to statistics from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), there were approximately 2 million people aged 60 years and older living in South Africa in 2020. Of these, approximately 10% had dementia, amounting to 200,000 people!
Memory loss and dementia are not the same medical condition. Memory loss is a common problem that affects people of all ages, while dementia is a neurodegenerative disease that affects cognitive function and memory. Memory loss can be caused by various factors such as aging, stress, depression, and poor nutrition, while dementia could be caused by underlying conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease.While memory loss is a symptom of dementia, not everyone with memory loss has dementia.
If you are concerned about your memory or cognitive function, talk to your pH4Life consultant to determine whether memory and other cognitive problems are normal and what may be causing them.
How will I know?
Dementia is a condition that affects memory and cognitive function and is more common among older adults and can have many associated impacts on patients, in addition to memory loss and cognitive decline, including:
- Behavioural changes: Dementia can cause changes in behaviour such as agitation, aggression, and depression.
- Difficulty with daily activities: As dementia progresses, patients may have difficulty with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
- Communication problems: Dementia can cause difficulty with communication such as finding the right words or understanding what others are saying.
- Hallucinations and delusions: Some patients with dementia may experience hallucinations or delusions.
- Wandering: Patients with dementia may wander and get lost, which can be dangerous.
- Incontinence: Dementia can cause incontinence, which can be embarrassing and uncomfortable for patients.
- Increased risk of falls: Patients with dementia are at an increased risk of falls due to balance problems and other factors.
- Loss of independence: As dementia progresses, patients may lose their independence and require assistance with daily activities.
If you suffer from memory loss, or know of someone who is undergoing any of these symptoms, contact pH4Life to discuss your treatment.
What can I do?
Exercise is an important part of maintaining good health, including brain health. Regular exercise can help to improve blood flow to the brain, which can help to improve memory and cognitive function. According to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, regular exercise can help to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Meditation: Meditation is a practice that involves focusing your attention on a particular object or thought. It has been shown to have many benefits for brain health, including improving memory and cognitive function. According to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, meditation can help to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Brain Games: Brain games are games that are designed to challenge your brain and improve cognitive function. They include games such as crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and memory games. According to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, brain games can help to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Learning a New Skill: Learning a new skill is a great way to challenge your brain and improve cognitive function. It can be anything from learning a new language to learning how to play an instrument. According to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, learning a new skill can help to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Socializing: Socializing with friends and family is an important part of maintaining good mental health. It has been shown to have many benefits for brain health, including improving memory and cognitive function,. According to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, socializing can help to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Taking care of your brain health is important for maintaining good mental health and overall well-being. Book an appointment with a health consultant at pH4 Life Centurion/Polokwane today to learn more about how you can improve your brain health.
Nature's remedies to keep in Mind
Ginkgo Biloba: Ginkgo Biloba is an herb that has been used for centuries to improve memory and cognitive function. It works by increasing blood flow to the brain, which helps to improve memory and concentration. According to a study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, Ginkgo Biloba can help improve memory in people with dementia.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that are important for brain health. They help to reduce inflammation in the brain, which can help to improve memory and cognitive function. According to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, omega-3 fatty acids can help to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Turmeric: Turmeric is a spice that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. It contains a compound called curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to improve memory and cognitive function. According to a study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, curcumin can help to improve memory in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that is important for brain health. It helps to maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells, which are important for cognitive function. According to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, vitamin B12 can help to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Berberine is a natural alkaloid compound that has been shown to have many benefits for brain health. According to a review published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology, berberine can help to reduce neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress, which can further reduce neuron damage and apoptosis. The review also suggests that berberine can activate PI3K-AKT and other signaling pathways, which can produce a neuroprotective effect . However, the review does not specifically mention whether berberine can slow down the aging of brain cells. More research is currently done to identify the specific effects of berberine on brain aging.
P-5-P, or pyridoxal-5-phosphate, is the active form of vitamin B6 and is involved in many processes in the body, including the production of neurotransmitters that are important for brain function. Vitamin B6 is an essential vitamin that is important for brain health, and according to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, vitamin B6 can even help to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease!
Music to your Mind
According to a systematic review published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, music therapy can help improve memory, cognition, daily functioning, and quality of life in people with dementia. Music therapy consists of interventions like listening, singing, or dancing to music. It has been shown to have significant health benefits for people living with dementia, including easing the symptoms of the condition and improving their overall quality of life.
Another study published in Medical News Today found that singing or playing a musical instrument can benefit memory and thinking skills in people with dementia. Actively participating in music programs led to a small but significant boost in memory and thinking skills.
A Dance to Remember!
Dancing has been shown to have many benefits for brain health. According to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, dance therapy can help stimulate social interaction, enhance mood, reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms, increase self-awareness and self-expression, and even maintain and at times improve memory and cognitive functioning.
According to a review published in BMC Neurology, dancing the Argentine Tang can improve an individual’s spatial awareness and memory because of the postures and simple paths learned during the dance classes. These are then stored, remembered, and used again, but it is also important for individuals to improvise and respond spontaneously to the music.
Contact Johan Vorster at pH4Health to tell you about his journey in the Argentine Tango!
What foods should I eat?
Maintaining a healthy diet is essential for good brain health. Certain foods can help improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia, while others can have negative effects on the brain. Foods that are good for brain health include:
- Fatty fish such as salmon, trout, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain health. Omega-3s help to reduce inflammation in the brain and protect against cognitive decline.
- Berries such as blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries are rich in antioxidants that can help to protect the brain from oxidative stress.
- Nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds are rich in vitamin E, which has been shown to help improve cognitive function.
- Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and collard greens are rich in vitamins and minerals that are important for brain health. They are also a good source of antioxidants that can help to protect the brain from oxidative stress.
- Dark chocolate contains flavonoids that have been shown to improve cognitive function.
Add some fat! When it comes to fats, it’s important to choose healthy fats that are good for your brain health. Some of the best fats for brain health include:
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that are important for brain health. They help to reduce inflammation in the brain, which can help to improve memory and cognitive function. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in foods such as fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts .
- Monounsaturated Fats: Monounsaturated fats are healthy fats that can help to improve brain function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. They can be found in foods such as olive oil, avocados, nuts (almonds, cashews), and seeds (pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds) .
- Polyunsaturated Fats: Polyunsaturated fats are healthy fats that can help to improve brain function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. They can be found in foods such as fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts .
Adding healthy oils to your diet is a great way to incorporate healthy fats into your meals. Some of the best oils for cooking include:
- Olive oil is a great source of monounsaturated fats, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. It’s perfect for drizzling on salads and vegetables!
- Avocado oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and has a high smoke point, making it ideal for high-heat cooking such as frying and roasting
- Sesame oil is rich in antioxidants such as sesamol and sesaminol, which can help reduce cell damage caused by free radicals. Sesame oil also has strong anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the body. Additionally, sesame oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which can help improve heart health. Note from pH4Life: While sesame oil is generally considered safe for most people, some people may be allergic to sesame seeds or sesame oil and should avoid consuming sesame oil or any other products that contain sesame.
- Coconut oil is high in saturated fat, but it contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that can help improve cognitive function and support weight loss. MCTs are smaller than long-chain triglycerides found in other vegetable oils, and are more readily absorbed and metabolized. According to a study published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, MCT oil can help to improve cognitive function in people with mild cognitive impairment. Another study found that MCT oil can help to improve memory in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Avoid these for improved brain health
- Sugary drinks
- Refined carbohydrates
- Processed foods
- Excessive alcohol consumptionArtificial sweeteners , flavourings and colourants
The last word
In addition to avoiding certain foods, taking beneficial supplements and exercizing your brain, there are many environmental factors and bad habits that can impact negatively on memory:
Lack of sleep:Sleep is essential for good brain health. Lack of sleep can lead to memory problems and cognitive decline. Chronic stress: Chronic stress can have negative effects on brain health and lead to memory problems. Social isolation: Social isolation can have negative effects on brain health and lead to cognitive decline and memory problems. Smoking: Smoking can have negative effects on brain health and lead to cognitive decline and memory problems. Environmental toxins: Exposure to environmental toxins such as lead, mercury, and pesticides can have negative effects on brain health and lead to cognitive decline and memory problems.
Contact pH4Life Centurion and pH4Life Polokwane for more advice, and a check-up to find out if your health might be at risk.
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Centurion
060 507 5006
77 Durham rd, Clubview, Centurion, Pretoria, 0181
Polokwane
083 441 1852
101 Plein St, Polokwane, 0699
Copyright 2023 pH4Life.
Copyright 2023 pH4Life.