I've been taking care of my 95-year old mother who has some dementia. Read some things about sugar and also gluten and dementia and we pretty much found out these are culprits in the diet which have made very difficult days dealing with my mom and has made her dementia worse.
Even natural maple syrup on pancakes (double trouble) caused issues. Even the smallest amount of sugar in a dessert - like a lefsa thing was an issue. So we totally cleared out the sugar, don't feed breads, - am pretty much doing an antifungal diet - which is anti-sugar also and found it is working out very well. Supplements include a quality Omega 3-s (DHA and EPA), and an EPA supplement as well have really made a difference. It took about 5 days to clear out the sugar damage.
Now we have had 3 days in a row where:
1) she wasn't begging to go home
2) remembered things from day to day
3) was kind and considerate
4) was not emotional and ill-fated in thinking
5) she could smile and laugh
6) she was "with it" and here and aware
7) she could make conversation
8) talk about present and past things
And the biggest thing of all - is that this has made my life sane and now when my mother is this way (more on the normal side) she is doable in care and loving and I don't feel feed up and frustrated and I don't feel like I'm hitting my head against a wall.
I see improvement in her health and brain and her stability. It is simply AMAZING.
So no chocolate, no candy, no dessert, no sweets, and no alcohol - wine or beer. Just good stuff and we eat organic also. It makes a difference.
Anyone with a positive experience like this or have noticed a difference with different foods?
I know my Dad is trying to lower the amount of wheat he is eating because he read somewhere that less wheat will lessen his arthritis pain, and so far he is having less pain.... then again I don't know if it is mind over matter. It will be interesting to see if his memory improves.
In fact, I will start tomorrow keeping my hands out of the bowl of chocolate truffles that my boss has on my desk, and here at home.... it won't be easy, but I will be curious to see if my foggy brain clears up.... I know it will take a couple of weeks to notice anything.
I think there is much truth to "Grain Brain." Some people have taken it to extremes with a meat & egg diet, neglecting the vegetables that have historically made up the bulk of human diets. I don't think this is healthy, either. I wouldn't be surprised if ultimately they find our ancestors' 90% plant 10% animal is the best way to eat. Of course, someone would have to break down categories within the plant & animal super-categories.
I understand how you feel. Diet isn't fool-proof for dementia, but sure seems to help the situation in a positive way. My mother lives with us and isn't able to stand and cook or go out and get things. So we can help control diet. She asks for crackers, bread, and cookies, but I tell her we don't have that kind of stuff here.
The "Brain Grain" sounds like an interesting book.
There's a great website about health in general and how fungus can take away health: knowthecause
It changed my whole life. We've been following the diet since 2010. It's been instrumental.
The best to you Kazzaa!
Im reading a book"brain grain" and he relates sugar and wheat to dementia also i truly believe this is why its on the increase! i am wheat and dairy intolerant so i know i feel more "alert" when i avoid these foods they say we should all eat more fat and less bad carbs!