Do this, and prevent dementia

Susan Berg,author of,Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful, Mind-Stimulating Activities... for the Memory Challenged, Loved Ones, and Professionals,explores this simple way to prevent dementia

Over 5 million people in the US now have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Countless others are affected by this. Don’t you wish you could do something to prevent yourself from developing dementia? Wouldn’t you like to prevent others from getting dementia? You can.

Here is one thing you can do right now to stop the spread of this disease. Eat a healthy diet and tell others to do the same!What does this mean?A brain-healthy diet includes lots of fruits, veggies and whole grains, fish, good fats such as olive oil rather than saturated and trans fats, and lean meats -- although meat consumption should be kept to a minimum,

One such diet is the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet incorporates the basics of healthy eating, plus a splash of flavorful olive oil and perhaps a glass of good red wine, among other components characterizing the traditional cooking style of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.Why does this diet work?This eating pattern has been associated with a lower level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation — a change in LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) that makes it more likely to build up deposits in your arteries. No build up of fatty deposits in the brain’s arteries means no dementiaStudies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids, which are consumed in the Mediterranean diet, lower triglycerides and may provide an anti-inflammatory effect helping to stabilize the blood vessel lining. No inflammation of the brain’s blood vessel lining means no dementia.

Red wine has an aspirin-like effect, reducing the blood's ability to clot, and also contains antioxidants. The fruits and vegetables also contain antioxidants. The Mediterranean diet typically includes some red wine and many fruits and vegetables. Red wine is consumed only in moderation. This means no more than one 5-ounce glass of wine daily for women (or men over age 65), and no more than two 5-ounce glasses of wine daily for men under age 65. Any more than this increases the risk of health problems, including increased risk of certain types of cancer. More antioxidants for the brain and reduced clots in the brain mean no dementia.In other words, eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Limit your intake of red meat. Eat fish instead(especially salmon) but not fried or laden with butter or heavy sauces. Consume healthy fats such as olive oil, nuts and canola oil (but use these in moderation because of their high calorie content). Reduce or eliminate saturated fat and trans fats (also known as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils) from your diet. Read food labels to see what you're really buying. Follow this diet plan and significantly reduce your chance of developing dementia. Persuade others to follow this diet as well.

Make sure to consult with your doctor before starting any diet.