Dementia Risks That Scientists Suggest You Should Avoid
(Plus, 6 Tips For A Healthy Brain)
Cases of dementia are on the rise, now affecting younger people… what could be causing this?
Early-onset dementia rates have increased by 200% from 2013-2017 in ages 30 to 64.
Someone in the world develops dementia every 3 seconds. Since 2021, there have been over 55 million people worldwide living with dementia. This number will almost double every 20 years, reaching 78 million in 2030.
The term ‘dementia’ doesn’t refer to just one type of brain disease… rather, it’s an umbrella term for a collection of different brain function disorders… such as Alzheimer’s Disease. The symptoms caused are due to changes in brain chemistry and function… which gets progressively worse.
Nobody knows the exact reason why this disease is spreading faster and affecting younger people… but there are some obvious, science-based clues that no one is talking about.
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Cooking With Aluminum Pots/Pans/Foil
Aluminum Foil
Studies reveal that food baked in aluminum foil can carry a health risk. Aluminum becomes unstable when exposed to heat… which causes it to expel chemicals that leech into your food.
Aluminum is a known neurotoxin, which can cause cognitive dysfunction and can contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
Companies are changing to the production of treated aluminum pot and pans… which are dipped in a bath of chemicals, so the aluminum doesn’t react with the food while cooking, but there are still questions about the safety of the chemical in the bath.
You might be asking yourself “If aluminum is so toxic, why is it allowed on our shelves?”.
Aluminum is the most abundant metal on Earth… with so much money at stake, industry lobbying is able to cast enough doubt (and funding) to keep it legal... despite its clear links to Alzheimer’s Disease and cancer.
Non-Stick Pans
PTFE is the shortened name of the chemical polytetrafluoroethylene… that is used for non-stick cookware.
At normal cooking temperatures, PTFE-coated cookware releases various gases and chemicals that present mild to severe toxicity.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), also known as C8, is another man-made chemical. It has been used in the process of making non-stick cookware. Due to dementia concerns, some companies have replaced PFOA with other chemicals such as GenX, but these new alternatives are also suspected to have similar toxicity.
Experts say that all non-stick materials will include chemicals of some kind.
If you must use non-stick materials, do so on low heat… in order to limit chemicals seeping into the food. And if food burns on a non-stick pan… do not eat it and air out the house.
The best materials to purchase when it comes to finding safe cookware are those that chemically inactive.
Such as:
- Glass
- Ceramic
- Titanium
- Most high-grade stainless steel
- Copper pans with a stainless-steel lining
- Cast iron
Fluoride In Drinking Water
Fluoride is added to drinking water all over the world to keep your teeth healthy… but at what cost?
Fluoride is a neurotoxin that can cause dementia.
In 2006, the US National Research Council published the findings of its comprehensive three-year review “Fluoride in Drinking Water”. This review was sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency and involved a 12-member panel of scientists and health professionals.
The panel reviewed both animal and human studies and in Chapter 7 of its report, stated:
“…it is apparent that fluorides have the ability to interfere with the functioning of the brain and the body by direct and indirect means…”
“Fluorides also increase the production of free radicals in the brain through several different biological pathways. These changes have a bearing on the possibility that fluorides act to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.”
Potential Role of Fluoride in the Etiopathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease – The research presented in this review clearly indicates that fluoride may play a key role in the induction and development of inflammation in Alzheimer’s Disease and participate in processes of neurodegeneration.
Fluoride in drinking water in relation to later dementia risk – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30868981/
If fluoride is added to the drinking water in your city, you can combat this with installing a faucet that filters out fluoride… or a cheaper option is a water jug that filters out fluoride and chlorine.
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Heartburn/Acid Reflux Medication
Proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s) are a common drug prescribed for chronic acid reflux/heartburn sufferers. But with a long list of common side effects, PPI’s can increase the risk of dementia.
German researchers found that people 75 or older who regularly took Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI’s) had a 44 percent increased risk of dementia, compared with seniors not using the drugs.
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A High Sugar/High Carb Diet
Consistent high blood-sugar levels cause insulin resistance… insulin resistance causes obesity and diabetes… but insulin resistance also increases the risk of dementia.
High blood-sugar levels come from too much sugar in the diet… but it also comes from a high carbohydrate diet. This is because the body converts carbs into sugar (for energy).
Common signs you might have insulin resistance:
- Unshiftable weight gain
- Bulging belly or “beer belly”
- Fatigue
- Cravings for sugar (especially after dinner)
- Bladder issues (especially at night)
- Brain fog
- Inflammation
The best way to combat insulin resistance is a low carb diet like the Ketogenic diet… or intermittent fasting.
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Too Many Daily Medications
The Association between Polypharmacy and Dementia – Polypharmacy, defined as the daily use of 5 or more medications… has a documented negative association with cognitive impairment such as delirium and is associated with a higher risk of dementia.
Polypharmacy increases the risk of cognition-impairment (brain dysfunction). Prolonged polypharmacy may result in dementia. Therefore, efforts are needed to limit or decrease the prescription of medications that have been associated with the risk of dementia in the elderly.
Talk to your doctor about an ‘audit’ of your daily medications… your doctor may conclude that you could do with less.
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6 Tips For A Healthy Brain
Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Balance – To keep inflammation low and steady energy to the brain. Limit sugar. Eating a diet high in sugar and processed carbohydrates results in inflammation in your body and brain.
Eat More Turmeric/Curcumin – Curcumin is a potent antioxidant known to diffuse inflammation and protect brain cells from damaging oxidative stress. Turmeric is the best dietary sources of curcumin, but if you don’t like the taste of this exotic spice, you can supplement with a quality curcumin concentrate.
Exercise Your Brain – Keeping your brain busy and active helps support neuro-plasticity… which is your brain’s ability to adapt. Whether it’s brain games like sudoku, playing chess, crossword, or playing scrabble… make sure you challenge your thinking skills on a regular basis.
Eat Your Green Veggies – Lutein is a phytonutrient concentrated heavily in greens like broccoli, kale, asparagus, and spinach. Lutein has been shown to support brain function and neuroplasticity across the lifespan.
Drink More Coffee – Your morning coffee may lower the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. In a 2014 study published in The Journal of Nutrition, participants with higher caffeine consumption scored better on tests of mental function.
Walnuts – These brain shaped nuts are an excellent source of brain-supporting, healthy fats. A 2015 study from UCLA linked higher walnut consumption to improved cognitive test scores.
