How can you ward off dementia as you get older? Carrots may be the answer ! Carrots contain beta-carotene which is broken down by the liver to become a form of vitamin A. A study just published reports that there is evidence to support the fact that men who took beta-carotene over a long period suffered fewer mental decline problems such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
This study will certainly have an impact on care of the elderly in helping to stave off these debilitating mental illnesses. Other studies over the years have shown that heart disease and certain cancers can be prevented if beta-carotene is part of a healthy balanced diet.
Is beta- carotene contained in other foods besides carrots? Usually it is found in highly coloured fat soluble compounds normally present in many fruits and vegetables such as apricots, green peppers, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes and coriander. In addition, beta- carotene is converted to retinol which helps to maintain good vision.
People who have been exposed to asbestos, heavy smokers and drinkers should avoid taking beta-carotene supplements. There is evidence to show that beta-carotene in these subjects may actually increase the rates of prostate cancer and lung cancer.
One of the most powerful antioxidants, beta-carotene can play a very valuable role in fighting the free radicals. It also helps in preventing cholesterol getting out of control. Discoloration of the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet are tell-tale signs that the normal dose of beta-carotene has been exceeded.
You may want to try a few recipes to start including carrots and other beta-carotene foods in your diet. Smoothies are a great way to include them and are really easy. You can make a delicious minty carrot drink by blending the following ingredients :- 3 carrots, 1 apple, 1 stick of celery and some fresh mint.
Carrot and lentil soup is another favourite of mine. Ingredients are :- cumin seeds and chili flakes (you can dry fry these to release their aromas first). Then add carrots (already grated), lentils, milk and stock and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. Then, you mix it in the blender until it is as creamy or as chunky as you want. Serve this delicious nutritious soup with a dollop of natural yogurt and coriander.
Researchers speculate that multiple nutrients consumed in a healthy, balanced diet may be more protective than beta-carotene supplements alone. You may want to add carrots and other beta-carotene vegetables to your diet to help ward off dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The easiest and best way is by making soups and smoothies. A great recipe book for smoothies is mentioned below this article.
Speech is frequently affected by Alzheimer's disease. An understanding of simple speech often remains intact during the early stages. However, difficulties in locating and expressing correct word usage can begin very early in the course of the disease. The Alzheimer's sufferer may experience difficulty in interpreting complex conversations, proverbs, and metaphors. Because of this, it may become very difficult to construct a complex sentence.
Later, as the Alzheimer's disease progresses, it becomes difficult for the sufferer to complete sentences. The sufferer often moves from one subject to another, often repeat the same words again and again. Writing and reading can be affected in the early stages of the disease often as a result of spelling difficulties. There is also an associated lack of interest in the task involved, therefore, tasks are very often left uncompleted.
The taking of telephone messages can prove particularly difficult. Difficulty with this seemingly simple task is often the catalyst for the initial discovery of the dementia. The typical Alzheimer's disease sufferer would have difficulty following a conversation. The realisation that they are having such difficulties causes them become more confused and frightened, thereby worsening the problem.
As the Alzheimer's disease increases in severity, communication problems increase. With the decrease in the ability to locate appropriate words to complete a sentence or to become involved in a conversation, the Alzheimer's sufferer may add paraphasias, or other words, as fillers to the remaining gaps. This usually results in the loss of a conversation's true meaning. Comprehension skills also decrease with the disease's increasing severity. Questions may not get answered, because they are not understood, following the thought through to completion in a sentence often proves too difficult and the sufferer is overwhelmed by common swift changes of subject matter.
Eventually, when speech mainly consists of babbling gibberish, gradually the Alzheimer's sufferer will withdraw from talking altogether. In advanced stages of the disease, the sufferer is unable to communicate to others even their basic needs. In a few Alzheimer's sufferers, there may be some occasional automatic verbal response, but often by this point the burden of communication typically falls on the shoulders of relatives, friends and caregivers.
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