Carbohydrates and Cognitive Decline

Diets High in Carbohydrates May Increase Risk of Cognitive Impairments, High in Protein and Healthy Fats May Decrease Risk

When it comes to brain function, what you eat matters. A Mayo Clinic study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease showed that seniors who eat food high in carbohydrates were four times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment. And when their diet was especially heavy in sugar, then their risk of cognitive difficulties increased even more.

On the bright side, seniors who ate balanced diets high in protein and fat relative to their carbohydrates were less likely to become cognitively impaired. Protein is our body’s source of amino acids and allowing 15-25% of your daily calories to come from protein helps to balance blood sugar levels, decrease cravings, and burn more calories than eating those high-carbohydrate, sugar-filled foods. Healthy fats are equally essential to brain health and should be a key part of your diet. What are some healthy fats to decrease your risk of cognitive impairment? Avocados, coconut oil, fish and fish oil, seeds and nuts, and even dark chocolate can be good sources of healthy fats.

Just as food can undermine your health, food can just as easily drive you to become healthier and thrive again. While general advice is helpful, specifically determining how to eat for your body’s health is game changing. Specific foods that may be healthy for most people may not be healthy for you. Eating a higher concentration of other foods and incorporating targeted supplements can help tissues to become healthy in ways you had not imagined. Partner with our doctors to determine exactly how to modify your diet through blood work, genetic testing and more. Contact us to schedule a consult today!

Read and find out more about the Mayo Clinic study here:
https://mayoclinic.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/relative-intake-of-macronutrients-impacts-risk-of-mild-cognitive-