Gut health and the connection to dementia

Dementia has been a rising concern in the last few years when it comes to the elderly and even the middle aged. As with many brain diseases, it is very hard to trace back the source of the disease. Often it can be hidden for a long time and even not diagnosed at all. Even after the diagnosis, many elderly may develop dementia simply due to their age and other factors can be overlooked. But there are indeed numerous factors at play and some can play a major role even though they seem unlikely.

A Few Factors of Dementia

According to studies, a few common factors related to dementia are: age, ethnicity, genetic factor, comorbidity etc. However, there are some factors that may seem completely random, such as gut health, but have a major effect in developing dementia. 

Gut Health

Gut health is a general term that includes a range of functions our digestive system does. From digesting food and absorption of nutrients to producing many hormones and keeping a stable amount of bacteria, everything is implied when the term “gut health” is mentioned. 

To many, the function of the gut is simply digesting and absorbing the food we eat. But medicinal researchers have become increasingly interested in the role of gut health in brain function and cognitive diseases. It is also clear now that the GI tract (Gastrointestinal tract-GIT) dysfunction plays a key role in immune-mediated alteration in how the brain receives and sends signals to the peripheral nervous system (nerves of the whole body) and how certain chemicals are formed in the brain. As a result there can be some serious malfunctions in the brain due to a severe enough GIT condition. 

In fact, according to research, A major cause of Alzheimer and neurodegeneration is poor gut health. It has been confirmed both theoretically and clinically.

It has been strongly suggested that taking probiotics is the solution to gut health, a virtual panacea. Yet building a healthy gut is not so simple and requires attention to the individual history.  The use of probiotics is an evolving field and the types and forms of probiotics vary widely. Prebiotic foods feed the gut bacteria and are the safest and potentially most efficacious path for most people. Examples of healthy prebiotic foods: garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, bananas (especially green bananas; use them in your protein shake!), asparagus, chicory root, Jerusalem artichokes, oats, apple (pectin), and flax seeds, 

Focusing on gut health can not only help you feel better today but help you avoid Alzheimers and related neurodegenerative diseases as you age. 

Dr. Floyd Minana D.C.