Dementia: problem, risks, effects, and management

Image
I had met my classmate around 4 months back and informed her also about my mom's death. But in a recent email, she wrote to me that I had met her a couple of years back. She also enquired about my mom. Seeing her email, the first thought that came to my mind was: is she suffering from early dementia. I hope not. Maybe, she just forgot about the time that I had met her a few months back. Maybe because it was a hurried and surprise visit.  Nonetheless, dementia is on the rise. It affects people after 60 years of age. The increased life expectancy means that one will see more of such cases in the near future.  India has around 10 million dementia cases out of the world total of 57 million. This is a huge percentage. It affects not only an individual but the whole family. There is this individual who is physically okay but mentally absent. The person needs custodial care and it could turn out to be expensive. It is also emotionally disturbing to see your loved one in that state of...

Taste vs nutrition: what to eat?

In the olden days, humans used to eat raw foods. Over time, they learnt the art of making fire and cooking. Now, people eat mostly cooked foods. They discovered spices and herbs and began their culinary use for aroma and taste. 

This has further reached a stage where people prefer processed and ultra processed foods that are easily available in supermarkets. This could be due to lack of time and laziness, but many also prefer these foods due to the taste factor. 

But when we look for tasty foods, somewhere along the way we are opting for less nutritious foods. So what should one prefer; tasty foods or nutritious foods?

Tasty foods

Most tasty foods are made of refined flour, unhealthy fats, and sugary base. These are artificially flavored and colored. Other additives are added to enhance texture and make foods more palatable. 

Most of these foods are mass prepared and have added preservatives to increase their shelf life. 

All this leads to these foods being stripped of their nutrition. The added chemicals in various forms, though certified safe by food agencies, may lead to unknown effects on body and allergies in some. This is especially bad when such foods are consumed in large numbers or frequently. 


Nutritious foods

Foods with nutrition are those that are made of natural products without any added chemicals. Even if chemicals are used, they are minimum essential amounts only. 

Most of these foods are prepared locally with fresh and good and healthy ingredients and are either eaten raw or minimally cooked. 


These foods include fruits, vegetables, foods made from cereals and pulses, nuts, seeds, milk, eggs, organic meat, and natural potable water. 

These foods may be less tasty. 

Expert opinion 

Most people get confused on what to eat to stay healthy. Nutritious foods are good but may not always be tasty. And tasty foods are not always healthy or nutritious. 

1. The best solution is to go for nutritious foods that are tasty. 

2. Try to increase taste of nutritious foods by healthy means. For instance, make foods out of whole wheat flour instead of refined flour. Add fruits and vegetables in them and in daily diet. Minimize sugar intake, consumption of fatty meat, non-organic meat, cheese, cream, and other unhealthy fats. Eat lots of fiber. 

3. Avoid processed and ultraprocessed foods.

4. It is not a crime to eat tasty non-nutritious foods sometimes. But do not make it a habit or addiction. Have treat days but keep these to the minimum.

5. Drink lots of fluids and fiber daily. 

6. Eat hygienic foods. 


Nutritious tasty foods more, as much of nutritious non tasty foods, less of tasty non-nutritious foods. 

Of course, people will themselves avoid non-tasty non-nutritious foods such as urine. There is nothing called urine therapy. Urine is the body excreta that has body waste and bacteria. It is unhealthy to drink it. So avoid listening to religious fools and refrain from eating inedible foods. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Color therapy-the ancient art of healing! Know the science behind it and its current status!

Small wounds on your dog-causes, symptoms and treatment explained!

Loneliness is a growing epidemic especially during this coronavirus pandemic in the USA!