Lifestyle Treatments For Alzheimer's And Dementia

Maintaining A Healthy Weight

Being obese is often considered a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Obesity affects brain health because having to carry around so much extra weight all the time puts a significant amount of strain on the body. This leads to high blood pressure and other factors that can worsen brain damage.

Avoiding being underweight is another key part of maintaining a healthy weight. Underweight seniors tend to get sick easier and struggle to recover from illnesses. The body needs enough nutrition to properly manage every functioning within the body. To keep a healthy weight, it is necessary to calculate total daily energy expenditure. Once you have an idea of how many calories you burn in a day, adjust your intake to either lose, gain, or maintain your current weight. In general, those looking to lose weight should eat foods with a low-calorie density, such as fruit and vegetables, while those who need to gain weight should eat calorie-dense foods like peanut butter or cheese.