Cognitive issues and nutritional deficiency. Is there a connection?

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Cognitive issues and nutritional deficiency. Is there a connection?

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Has anyone found that a nutritional deficiency or food sensitivity was associated with their loved one’s cognitive issues? I’ve read that low D and B vitamins status can impair executive function, and addressing it can often completely reverse the problem.

Alzheimer's & Dementia Cognitive Decline Dementia Behaviors Diet & Nutrition

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In the world of science:

"correlation is not causation"

This means just because you took a vitamin supplement and then seemed to experience an improvement in health or cognition, doesn't mean the 2 are connected at all -- because there are too many other variables that can impact that result, and not the least is the Placebo Effect (mental expectation of a result so that it is only psychosomatic and not actually medical or physical).

That being said there are dementias that are caused or worsened by vitamin deficiency, as in Wernike-Korsakoff dementia experienced by alcoholics because certain vitamins are blocked from absorption due to the extreme alcohol comsumption. If caught early enough -- and the person stops drinking -- the effects can be reversed and the person can recover.

There is A LOT of "snake oil" remedies surrounding dementia because people are terrified of it and fear causes people to spend their money without really properly and thoroughly researching treatments, therapies, medications and supplements.

"I’ve read that ___________..." means nothing unless what you are reading are the actual clinical study results, and even these have to stand up to a criteria in order for the study subject to be of value or not.

The study has to:

be written in such a way as to prevent false data outcomes.

include the right participants.

involve a large group of people (so not just a dozen, or a hundred, but thousands)

be conducted over a satisfactory length of time

be reproducible.

This last one is very critical. One study doesn't mean anything unless its results can be independently reproduced and give the same outcomes.

This is why I personally never jump on a new prescription drug (Ozempic!) or supplement or treatment/therapy bandwagon until a long enough amount of time has passed so that the above criteria is met.

You can ask your PCP to test you for deficiencies, like B, D, K, and magnesium. If your individual body is not actually low on these, then taking a supplement will mean you are just peeing out the money you spent on them. Everyone's bodies are different in size, age, nutritional intake and retention, health, etc. What works for one person does not mean it will work for another.

Can taking certain vitamins "totally reverse" certain cognitive symptoms? Yes IF that person doesn't actually have dementia but is suffering the symptoms of an actual vitamin or nutritional deficiency.

To date, there is no real, respectable scienfic studies that show dementia is curablem, and in many cases not even preventable. The brain is unbelievably complex and we still don't know enough about it.

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Reply to Geaton777

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WONDERFUL answer.

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I'm glad you've asked this question. Let's talk about how imbibing alcohol causes cognitive issues, as this has been in the news lately (but will likely get buried again because people would rather drink than stop to preserve their brain health).

Here are three articles backed by research:

Journal of American Medical Association
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2767693

Betty Ford /Hazelden
https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/research-studies/addiction-research/alcohol-effects-brain#:~:text=Since%20alcohol%20affects%20a%20large,%2C%20spatial%20processing%2C%20and%20impulsivity.

The Lancet is a British weekly medical journal that publishes original research and analysis on clinical, public and global health matters:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(18)30070-7/fulltext

I've seen alcohol-related dementia in my own family and circle of friends. It is sad, pathetic, and totally avoidable if they'd never taken that first drink. At least two never believed they drank too much. ("Um, well, we drink socially, but that's all! and "Hey, I'm not always like this!") while falling down drunk at a restaurant. And my favorite, "Sure, I like my bubbly, but I only drink one bottle of champagne a night!" - all by herself and won't remember anything she said or did after any 5 p.m. which is when she started. Every night.

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Reply to Fawnby

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My husband was a functioning alcoholic. I often told him alcohol was killing his brain. He thought I was the crazy, nagging wife. Well it did affect his brain. In June 2017 we were driving thru Farmington on our way to Durango CO. a trip we made for years. He was driving and asked where we were. That was the beginning. I asked our doctor for a referral to a neurologist. He said he "was getting older" and should learn a new language or play an instrument. I was shocked. My husband had been retired for more than 10 years and never expressed an interest in anything but golf, which he no longer played. I pressed the doctor and he eventually sent the referral. He was diagnosed with dementia in 2018. Blood tests showed he was negative 7 for B1, primarily due to the alcohol, which can affect your gait and comprehension. The neurologist prescribed B1 and memantine in the AM and donepezil in the PM. A few years later he was prescribed an anti-depressant. One thing he will recall and throw up to me is "me and that woman", meaning the Dr. I made the mistake of asking her if he should drive while he was in the room. She said no. However, another neurologist nearby suggested he take a driving test. He scored 7 out of 25. He hadn't studied for it and could retake it as often as he wanted but said no. To this day when he gets in a mood he'll say I did this to him...me and that woman, meaning taking away his driving. Recently he was asked the date, the month, year and he didn't know any of it. They always give 3 words and he never recalls them.
I am the caretaker, making sure he gets his meds and all the other issues. He's also on a med for psoriasis. On December 4th he was walking up the driveway with our dog and the dog pulled him and he fell on his left side. Took 3 of us to get him in the house. He couldn't stand or walk. Spent 3 days in the hospital. He had hairline fractures on his pelvis. Transferred to a rehab for 4 weeks. He's doing quite well with a walker and eventually will use a cane. He is 86 and we have been married 60 years!

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Yes, I have.
My dad has dementia. He also has dysphagia, COPD, and chronic anemia. He eats a small meal twice a day. He also will drink one to two protein shakes a day to help supplement his diet.
I have found certain vitamin deficiencies. One of them, Vitamin - C, made a significant difference and improvement in his dementia symptoms. He is talking better and more, he is more alert, and the biggest improvement - he is chewing, swallowing, and able to eat and drink better. I have literally been able to decrease the level of puree on certain foods he eats. And it is not because the Vitamin-C is helping iron absorption because there's no improvement in his anemia.
I am frustrated with the doctor that under my dad's circumstances, there has been no suggestion to ever check for deficiencies. I have had to research and read everything to learn and figure these things out and request the bloodwork. He was deficient in folate, B6, and C. It was later on when I found he was deficient in vitamin-C and within two weeks of starting it there was noticeable improvement. Not a cure of course, but significant improvement.
Personally, I don't care what anyone says or thinks, if your loved one is eating little, or eating just a small variety of foods, request bloodwork to check and watch for deficiencies. It doesn't hurt to check and to try. You never know, it may help.

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Reply to Shayann

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Low sodium can cause neurological symptoms that look like dementia.

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Reply to Isthisrealyreal

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I was recalling a time when my grandmother was in a nursing home, and was showing symptoms that looked like dementia. Turned out to be an electrolyte imbalance, and once corrected, she was ok.

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B12 can cause memory loss. Medicare pays for a physical once a year. Take Mom to her doctor and have labs run and he can give her a small cognitive test. Thats the only way you will find out what her vitaminnlevels are.

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Reply to JoAnn29

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Thank you! She has a blood test order that does include vitamins D and B12, so we’ll have that info soon. Clearly, her neurologist believes there can be a link, so there must be some compelling data/studies.

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Absolutely there is!
nutruents play a crucial role in maintaining cognitive function and deficiencies can impair cognitive processes ( such as memory -attention)
iron- b vitamins ( deficiencies in b bits have been linked to cognitive devolve/dementia and even depression)
omega 3
vit d have been linked to cognitive decline and dementia
zinc
magnesium
maintainj g a balanced diet does help and if you can’t supplements ( once agreed with your doctor to ensure they do not react badly with medication)
we give my dad a liquid supplement
good luck

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Reply to Jenny10

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Jenny10, I agree, and you provide some helpful information.
However, every body is different and taking a guess at what nutrients a person may be deficient in, is rather like taking a stab in the dark.

I know personally that I feel better when I take just a simple daily vitamin.
My 84 year old dad thinks vitamins are a waste of money. But, he picks and chooses overpriced individual supplements because he sees advertising which convinces him they are the fountain of youth!
Well, that must be working for him because he is a healthy 84 year old!

Really, it is best to let a doctor help identify what supplements will be best for the individual.

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Better to get thoroughly tested by a neurologist to determine type of dementia - so can get the right treatment. Wouldn't hurt to also see a registered dietician and doctor who can check for nutritional deficiencies and recommend diet to address issues.

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Reply to Taarna

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Low Vitamin D is often reported for elders who stay inside almost all the time. It comes in nature from sunshine on the skin (not through glass), and 10 minutes a day is supposed to be enough in direct sunshine. Where I am, the daily air-temperature max has been over 40 centigrade (104 fahrenheit) for over a fortnight, and in direct sunshine it’s even more. It’s ironic that staying inside with an aircon can mean that Vitamin D tablets are actually recommended (and there are heat warnings for people who work outside). We were told when we chose to move here, that for 2 months of the year people our age just dash from aid-con building to air-con building via an aircon car.

Of course the same problem can occur if it's too cold to go outside, not too hot. A glazed sunroom doesn't really help.

Think about your elder’s actual sunshine exposure – is it enough?

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Reply to MargaretMcKen

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From my personal experience, I suggest that you request a blood panel for deficiencies in your vitamin levels from your primary care physician who can determine 1) if you have a vitamin deficiency in your blood, and 2) can recommend that you take certain vitamins and/supplements.

I had labwork done and discovered that I needed vitamin B-12 for energy.

I get monthly B12 shots and they have definitely helped me.

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Reply to clcotton9000

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I found an extremely inexpensive sublingual B vitamin supplement at Grocery Outlet that cured my B12 deficiency. 🤗

Cognitive issues and nutritional deficiency. Is there a connection?

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