A BITTERSWEET REALITY
Craving sweets since childhood seems to cause some serious concerns as seniors age.
Unfortunately, sugar seems to serve as an addiction for many.
Yet, researchers are positively convinced that sugar is poisonous. Based on a series of reports and research, they might be right.
What is known for a certainty is that routine consumption of sugar is the direct cause of many diseases.
There is a startling link between sugar and Alzheimer’s.
Sugar appears to be the cause of obesity, diabetes type 2 and Alzheimer’s, diseases that affect people as they age.
Unquestionably, there are numerous factors that influence Alzheimer’s disease, although food is one of the chief components that we can control.
WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60-80 percent of all cases.
Ultimately, it is marked by memory loss, impairment, aphasia and the inability to plan and initiate complex tasks.
Alzheimer’s is not merely a loss of memory.
It is diagnosed when both memory and another cognitive function are severely affected.
Together, these symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.
It is a condition of memory and thinking.
More than 44 million people worldwide suffer from a dementia-related diagnosis.
In America, 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 have dementia.
WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH CONCLUDE?
Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of Americans, and every65 seconds another person in the United States develops it.
A recent study evaluated 5,189 participants for over 10 years.
The conclusion showed that people with higher levels of blood sugar had more accelerated cognitive decline.
Several other studies have also been completed.
Similar results illustrated that the higher the level of sugar intake reflected the higher the risk for cognitive decline.
Studies suggest that senior minimize their sugar intake.
Combating Sugar Cravings Amongst Seniors
- RAL home cooks and chefs should consider reducing sugars from the diet plans, like candy, soda, desserts, and sweeteners.
- Consider switching high-glycemic foods like white rice and potatoes with brown rice and sweet potatoes.
- Combat high-glycemic foods with increased fiber consumption.
- Make adjustments in moderation. Do not try cutting everything at once.
THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING
The proof is in the pudding, literally.
In some cases, the path from sugar to Alzheimer’s leads through type 2 diabetes.
A new study shows that type 2 diabetes doesn’t always come first.
According to Melissa Schilling, a professor at New York University, Alzheimer’s can happen even in people who don’t have diabetes yet.
Rosebud Roberts, a professor of epidemiology and neurology at the Mayo Clinic, agreed with her interpretation.
Of course, there are genetic and other non-nutritional factors that contribute to the progression of Alzheimer’s.
“Alzheimer’s is like a slow-burning fire that you don’t see when it starts,” Schilling said. “By the time you see the signs, it’s way too late to put out the fire.”
Don’t start fires you can’t control.
Hindsight has made it clear that the food people choose to eat early on in life affects future cognitive health.
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