Foods You Should Eat If Dementia Runs In Your Family

It might be worrisome if one of your family members has been diagnosed with dementia, but most forms of it — including Alzheimer's Disease — are not inherited, according to the Alzheimer's Society. That said, if Alzheimer's is diagnosed in someone under 60 years old, chances are greater that it could be inherited. In addition, some rare forms of dementia can be passed on to children.

The good news is that if you want to help protect your brain from cognitive decline, making a few adjustments to your diet can help. The experts at WebMD state that you can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease by up to 53% by limiting your intake of red meat, sugar, fried foods, alcohol, and cheese. You should also try to incorporate beans and nuts into your diet and cook mainly with olive oil. In addition to that, there are some foods you should eat to boost your brain's health.

Evidence shows that omega-3 fatty acids are good for your brain health. Omega-3 fatty acids are critical for brain development, so it shouldn't come as a big surprise that they can help people with memory problems, per Healthline. While omega-3s don't necessarily help people with Alzheimer's Disease, a 2010 study published in Alzheimer's and Dementia showed that one form of fish oil called DHA does seem to help people who have mild cognitive impairment. Another study showed that lower levels of DHA were associated with brain aging, per Neurology.

Another nutrient that is essential for brain health is B vitamins, especially B12. One study linked a deficiency in B12 with impaired memory and cognition, per CureUs. The superpower belonging to berries is their antioxidant properties. WebMD explains that antioxidants protect brain cells from free radical damage. They also change how neurons communicate with each other, and that can reduce inflammation, which also damages cells.

You should also add cruciferous vegetables to your plate if you want to protect your brain. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts contain carotenoids and folate, which are known to lower levels of homocysteine in the brain, according to Dementia.