A study carried out in Saudi Arabia shows new evidence that diet plays an important role in preventing neurodegenerative diseases. According to scientists at AlMaarefa University, vitamin K can protect elderly people from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
The nutrient is primarily present in dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale and spinach, and is also found in watercress, arugula, cabbage, lettuce, turnip greens, olive oil, avocado, egg and liver.
Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and dementia are neurodegenerative diseases that mainly affect the elderly population. Conditions are progressive and, over time, the patient becomes more dependent on the care of others.Getty Images
***Elderly and computerIt is common that, in the initial stage, the symptoms are confused with the natural aging process. However, family members and close people should be aware of the signs Getty Images
***doctorsIt is also important to seek help from doctors, because the earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chances of controlling the case and delaying the progression of diseases, as well as increasing the quality of life of patients.disclosure
***elderly-g73b917f75_640Parkinson’s causes the death of neurons that produce dopamine and play an important role in the locomotor system. Men are the most affectedPixabay
***man-g7d8f2f940_640The patient’s family members should be alert to the first signs of sluggishness, muscle stiffness, and frequent tremors, which are more characteristic of this condition.Pixabay
***woman-gd073167b3_640Alzheimer’s, in turn, affects more the female population. It causes the degeneration and death of neurons, which results in the progressive alteration of brain functions.Pixabay
***question-gd12ddc75a_640The most recurrent consequences are the impairment of memory, behavior, thinking and learning ability.Pixabay
***patient-ge7e79da2d_640Dementia is progressive and the initial symptoms are well known: memory loss and confusion are the most common. The condition affects up to 25% of people over 85 in BrazilPixabay
***hands-gda2519f21_640Speech problems and difficulty making decisions are also among the signs. However, there are other subtle signs that can alert to the development of some types of degenerative diseases. Pixabay
***eye-g91c3cc572_640Vision problems: A study done in the UK by UK Biobank shows that people with age-related macular degeneration are 25% more likely to have dementiaPixabay
***elderly-agencia-brasilHearing loss: May be linked to cellular changes in the brain. But vision and hearing loss can lead to social isolation, which has been known for years as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.Brazil Agency
***couple-elderly-g5e4cbfe5e_640Mood swings: People with early dementia stop finding jokes funny or don’t understand situations they used to find amusing and may have difficulty understanding sarcasm Pixabay
***281948-see-x-important-care-with-oral-health-of-the-elderly-768×512Gum problems: Research shows that oral health is linked to mental problems and may also be linked to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and alcoholism – all are also risk factors for dementiareproduction
***man-g2ef0736cd_640Social isolation: the symptom can increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. A lack of patience with friends and family and a preference for being alone can be signs of chemical brain problems or lack of vitamins.Pixabay
***ball-g8627c1d0f_640Other signs that may indicate neurodegenerative diseases are: lack of interest in usual activities, difficulty in performing everyday tasks, repeating conversations or tasks, disorientation in familiar places and difficulty in memorizationPixabay
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In the research, the scientists analyzed the functioning of the cognitive system and the behavior of mice with advanced age during 17 months. Half of them were supplemented with K-complex vitamins, and the other half received a traditional diet for comparison.
Those who received the vitamin showed improvement in spatial memory and learning ability, as well as a significant reduction in cognitive impairment – the transition between normal cognition and dementia – and in depression and anxiety.
“Vitamin K2 has shown a very promising impact in preventing age-related behavioral, functional, biochemical, and histopathological changes in the senile brain,” the study’s lead author, Mohamed El-Sherbiny, wrote in a statement.
By examining the animals’ brain tissue, the researchers observed an increase in tyrosine, an amino acid that helps preserve cognitive functions.
The results of the study, not yet published in a scientific journal, were presented at the annual meeting of the American Anatomy Association in the United States.
The researchers considered that more research needed to be done to prove the nutrient’s benefits, but highlighted that vitamin K “may be proposed as a promising approach to attenuate age-related disorders and preserve cognitive functions in elderly individuals.”
