An in-person MIND diet course has been launched
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Background to the MIND diet

Leading researchers in the field of nutrition and Alzheimer’s disease crafted the MIND diet. Numerous randomized clinical trials have confirmed that adhering to the MIND diet significantly aids in dementia prevention and decelerates cognitive decline. Individuals who rigorously adhered to the MIND diet experienced a remarkable 53% decrease in dementia diagnosis. Research even suggests improved cognitive performance after adopting this dietary approach.

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Whether you or a loved one is struggling with or are concerned about memory loss, it’s worth knowing that there is a lot you can do with food and lifestyle to help.

Just like you would with any major health concern, the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor as a starting point if you’re worried. They will be able to evaluate your situation and may signpost you to resources and groups that might help support you.  It’s possible – though unlikely – that the doctor will know about the food and lifestyle strategies that would help. They’re just not given the training, but I can help. I want you to know that what you eat (both historically and also what you eat from now on) plays a critical role in brain health. If you or someone you know and love has been told they have some kind of cognitive impairment, I wrote this for you.

Diet has been found to have a significant impact on the prevention and progression of Alzheimer's disease (Stefaniak et al., 2022). A number of studies have reported that what you eat, and your lifestyle strongly influence the risk of cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease (Sousa & Guimarães, 2015).

Mediterranean Diet
One well-studied diet for Alzheimer's disease prevention is the Mediterranean diet (Sousa & Guimarães, 2015). It’s diet that is do-able for many and you may have heard of this already. It favours real food over processed foods, which is a benefit for each and every one of us regardless of our current health status. The diet promotes good quality, lean protein like meat, fish, eggs and vegetarian sources like beans and lentils, healthy fats like olive oil, nuts and seeds, plenty of fruit and vegetables, plus wholegrains like brown rice and wholemeal bread.

The Mediterranean diet has long been associated with increased longevity and a lower risk of chronic diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (Sousa & Guimarães, 2015), as well as cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

Further work demonstrates cognitive and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers, including the APOE genotype, may be influenced by the diet (Farmer et al., 2019).

Ketogenic Diet

Another dietary approach that has gained popularity as a nutritional intervention is the ketogenic diet (Rusek et al., 2019). Since Alzheimer’s is sometimes referred to as Type 3 Diabetes for its links to blood glucose regulation, it’s small wonder that a diet high in fat and very low-carbohydrates (like bread, pasta, potatoes, rice and sugar or refined foods of any kind) has been shown to have great potential as a therapeutic strategy for the disease (Rusek et al., 2019). As the ketogenic diet is likely to be a stretch from whatever you’re currently eating, it's worth working with a nutrition coach to support you to find the best diet for your condition and to motivate you to follow it for long enough that it becomes second nature – and, of course, for you to experience the therapeutic benefit.
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Delirium Superimposed on Dementia DSD

DSD is when someone with dementia develops a delirium on top of their dementia. Delirium is an acute, transient disorder of attention and cognition.

The trigger for the delirium might be an infection, an acute illness, surgery, hospitalisation, constipation, drug side effects, sudden withdrawal of some medications.

Physical changes that contribute to delirium are low blood oxygen, high blood carbon dioxide, high or low sodium, high calcium, low glucose, neurotransmitter changes in the brain.

It’s a common condition, affecting as much as 50% of older adults with dementia on hospital wards.

Because of diminished cognitive reserve, people with dementia are more prone to having a delirium. They can also take longer than adults without dementia to recover. It may take days, weeks or even up to six months to recover. People with dementia may not recover back to their previous level of cognition and functioning after the delirium.

Treating delirium:
Identify and treat the cause. It may be more than one cause.
Are there metabolic abnormalities?
Are medications or medication withdrawal implicated?
Are there any psychological predisposing factors?
Adequate hydration and a good balanced diet are critical to recovery.
Address any constipation.
Nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin D, B6, B12.
Provide reassurance, reorientation, involve family.
Prioritise sleep.