Malnutrition is a primary cause of dementia, especially in seniors. The brain is a bit of a nutrient hog. It requires a wide variety of nutrients to function properly. Under Dr. Bredesen’s listing of contributing factors inadequate nutrition falls under Type 2 having to do with a loss of “trophic” or growth factors.
If the brain can’t get all of the nutrients it needs it will cease to grow new neurons, or even be able to maintain itself. Without the needed nutrients from healthy food, the brain will not be able to adequately maintain our immune system to quench free radicals that cause inflammation, nor can it fight of toxins, or repair injuries to the brain, as a result, without adequate nutrition cells die, and our body and brain age and deteriorate faster than they otherwise would.
Moreover, as we age we face a host of inhibitors to good nutrition. These include, a reduced consumption of an adequate variety of foods, reduced enzyme production needed to digest these foods, perhaps a leaky gut or leaky brain, reduced nutrients in the foods we do eat, medication that impair digestion or assimilation of nutrients, illnesses that deplete nutrients critical to our immune system, poorer circulation of these nutrients to our brain, and a host of other factors. See this excellent article by Dr Jockers of 12 factors that contribute to Nutrient deficiencies.
In this article you will learn about the role of nutrients in your body, the difference between optimal and adequate nutrient levels, marginal deficiencies, deficiencies, and nutrient toxicity. He will then discuss 12 key factors that influence your nutrient status. Finally, he will share what he feels are the best ways to support an optimal nutrient status to improve your health. (He pitches a multivitamin at the end, but we do not endorse that.)
For additional information on what constitutes a brain healthy diet, the most important nutrients for the brain, foods and drinks to avoid, and nutrients to consider supplementing go to Step # 1 under Brain Health Essentials, on the Critical Role of Nutrition.
