Before we look at what kind of food Alzheimer’s patients should choose, first we need to know in which stage the Alzheimer’s patient is facing the disease. Because Alzheimer’s disease in each stage will be different according to the severity of the disease. We must adjust the patient’s diet to be appropriate for the symptoms found.
Stage 1 :
General symptoms are similar to normal people, but forgetfulness may occur. During this stage, patients can still eat by themselves. Abnormal eating is not often found.
Recommendations :
Manage food to be nutritious and appropriate, with all five food groups. If there are other health problems, it is recommended to eat small amounts but frequently, divided into 4-8 meals per day as appropriate. Encourage patients to take care of their oral health and keep their teeth clean at all times.
Intermediate stage :
Patients will have significantly more forgetfulness, forget whether they have eaten or not, forget whether they are hungry or full, and start having problems doing daily activities by themselves.
Advice :
Forgetting to be hungry/forgetting to be full may cause the patient to receive incorrect nutrition. There may be a condition of being underweight or overweight. At this stage, it is recommended that the caregiver prepare the patient’s food appropriately as in the first stage. However, if the patient is observed to be overweight, focus on providing low-calorie foods, emphasizing more vegetables and fruits. However, if the patient is too thin, provide higher-calorie foods, along with taking nutritional supplements, under the supervision of a doctor.
Final stage :
The patient begins to have difficulty swallowing, chokes frequently, ยูฟ่าเบท and is often unable to help himself or is bedridden.
Recommendations :
If the patient is still able to eat by themselves, provide appropriate food as for patients with early and middle stages of Alzheimer’s. However, if the patient is bedridden and cannot eat, the doctor will arrange for the patient to be fed through a feeding tube. The caregiver will arrange for the patient to be fed properly according to the doctor’s orders and may supplement the patient with vitamins or medical-specific supplements under the doctor’s supervision.
What kind of food for Alzheimer’s patients can help slow down the symptoms?
Some foods contain nutrients that help strengthen the brain, strengthen the nervous system and brain, and help Alzheimer’s patients have better symptoms. However, the food they eat must be in the correct and appropriate amount, and must be done in conjunction with strict medical treatment.
Food for Alzheimer’s patients
- Omega 3, which plays an important role in brain function, is found in abundance in ocean fish such as mackerel, salmon, and tuna. It is recommended to consume it 2-3 times a week.
- Antioxidant foods: Since free radicals damage brain cells, causing them to deteriorate faster, you should eat foods that help fight free radicals, such as prunes, strawberries, pomegranates, or spices like chili, garlic, and ginger.
- Choline is a nutrient that is essential for the production of neurotransmitters. It is found in soybeans, egg yolks, green leafy vegetables, brown rice, bananas, cabbage, etc.
- Starchy foods should focus on good starches and be consumed in appropriate quantities, such as brown rice, parboiled rice, and grains.
- It is recommended that patients consult a doctor before taking vitamins or dietary supplements.