You may find it helpful to develop a weekly meal plan with nutritious, Alzheimer’s-friendly options and to cook and freeze meals in advance for convenience.

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Nutrition cannot cure Alzheimer’s disease, but it may help prevent or slow down cognitive decline.

However, ensuring that someone with Alzheimer’s eats healthy meals can be challenging because they may have a reduced appetite and experience cognitive and behavioral changes.

Let’s review practical tips for maintaining proper nutrition and limiting distractions at mealtime.

Nutrition appears to play an important role in preventing and slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s. Let’s take a look at several studies.

According to a review of 38 studies published between 2018 and 2022, a Western diet increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, while the Mediterranean diet, the ketogenic (keto) diet, and supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics have protective effects, particularly in mild to moderate cases of the disease.

The review authors concluded that these nutritional interventions may slow down disease progression and improve cognitive function and quality of life. But more research is needed before experts can draw definitive conclusions.

Keto diets have recently been the subject of considerable research on their potential benefits for various health conditions, including epilepsy and Alzheimer’s. These diets aim to replace glucose with ketones for brain fuel, which is crucial because Alzheimer’s may impair glucose transport in the brain.

The authors of a 2022 review compared the keto diet and a low carbohydrate diet by evaluating their effects on cognitive function in adults with and without Alzheimer’s.

While both diets showed some cognitive benefits, the keto diet was particularly effective in improving cognitive abilities and quality of life in people with Alzheimer’s. These results suggest that ketosis might play a key role in these improvements.

In a 2024 study, researchers tested the keto diet on a mouse model of Alzheimer’s and found that it significantly improved brain function without reducing amyloid-beta levels. The improvement is linked to higher levels of beta-hydroxy-butyrate, which enhances brain plasticity.

Another study with 581 participants found that those who followed the MIND and Mediterranean diets — which are rich in green leafy vegetables, fruits, whole grains, olive oil, beans, nuts, and fish — had fewer amyloid plaques and tau tangles (markers of Alzheimer’s) in their postmortem brains.

Those with the highest adherence to the Mediterranean diet had brain markers similar to people 18 years younger, while those who adhered to the MIND diet had markers similar to people 12 years younger.

Planning and tracking meals

Here are some tips to help you plan and track meals for someone with Alzheimer’s:

  • Create a meal plan: Develop a weekly or monthly plan with balanced, nutritious meals, considering the person’s dietary needs and preferences.
  • Set a routine: Establish regular mealtimes to promote consistency and appetite.
  • Use a meal calendar: Schedule meals and snacks to ensure balanced nutrition and prevent missed meals.
  • Prepare in advance: Cook and freeze meals ahead of time to simplify mealtimes.
  • Track their food intake: Keep a food diary or use an app to monitor what the person eats, and adjust as needed.
  • Monitor their health: Make sure that the person attends regular checkups to monitor their weight and health and ensure that they’re getting adequate nutrition.
  • Engage in meal prep: Involve the person in simple meal prep tasks to boost their interest in eating.
  • Simplify choices: Offer a limited selection of easy-to-prepare, nutritious options.
  • Document their preferences: Take note of the foods the person likes and dislikes and tailor meals to those preferences.
  • Use visual aids: Provide pictures of food to help the person recognize them and choose between options.

When it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, certain supplements have shown promise in supporting cognitive function and potentially slowing disease progression.

Here are some supplements and their possible benefits:

  • Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in fish oil, these fatty acids, especially DHA, are thought to support brain health and may help reduce inflammation associated with Alzheimer’s. One 2023 study found that long-term use of omega-3 supplements was associated with a 64% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
  • Vitamin E: This antioxidant may help protect brain cells from damage. Low vitamin E levels are linked to a higher Alzheimer’s risk, and this vitamin might help slow down disease progression when combined with other nutrients. But clinical trials have produced mixed results.
  • Vitamin D: Adequate vitamin D levels are important for overall brain health. In a 2023 study involving 12,388 people without dementia, vitamin D supplementation was linked to a lower risk of developing dementia in the future.
  • B vitamins: Vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid can help reduce levels of homocysteine, an amino acid linked to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s. In a 2022 review of 95 studies with 46,175 participants, researchers found that B vitamins improved cognitive function and slowed cognitive decline, especially in people without dementia.
  • Curcumin: Found in turmeric, curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help reduce amyloid plaque buildup in the brain. According to a 2018 review, curcumin helps maintain brain health, reduces risk factors for Alzheimer’s, and affects multiple signaling pathways involved in the disease.
  • Ginkgo biloba: This herbal supplement is thought to improve cognitive function and enhance memory by increasing blood flow to the brain. Clinical trials suggest that ginkgo biloba may benefit people in early stages of Alzheimer’s when taken in high doses over long periods.
  • Phosphatidylserine: This fatty substance is important for cell function in the brain. Some studies suggest that it can improve cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s.
  • Probiotics: According to a 2022 review, probiotics can be helpful for Alzheimer’s because they reduce inflammation, fight oxidative stress, and affect the gut microbiota, all of which are related to the progression of the disease.

Expect some loss of appetite

Loss of appetite is common in Alzheimer’s disease and can result from the following factors:

  • Medications: Certain Alzheimer’s drugs, such as donepezil and galantamine, may reduce a person’s appetite.
  • Decreased sense of smell and taste: Alzheimer’s can affect the senses of smell and taste, making food less appealing and enjoyable.
  • Cognitive decline: A person with Alzheimer’s may have difficulty recognizing the food on their plate, forget the purpose of eating, or lose the ability to use utensils.
  • Depression and anxiety: Emotional distress associated with Alzheimer’s may lead to reduced interest in eating.
  • Physical discomfort: Dental issues, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and gastrointestinal problems can make eating painful or uncomfortable.
  • Changes in routine: Disruptions in daily routines and mealtime environments may confuse someone with Alzheimer’s, leading to reduced food intake.

Limit distractions

These tips can help you create a calm and focused mealtime environment for someone with Alzheimer’s:

  • Quiet environment: Make sure the dining area is free from noise such as TVs, radios, or loud conversations.
  • Simple table setting: Use minimal, familiar table settings without clutter.
  • Consistent location: Serve meals in the same place to create a familiar environment.
  • Low lighting: Use soft, steady lighting to create a calm atmosphere.
  • Single task focus: Avoid multitasking during meals — focus solely on eating.
  • Few other people: Limit the number of people at the table to avoid overwhelming the person.
  • Predictable routine: Stick to a regular mealtime schedule to provide consistency.

Encourage independence

Promoting independence at mealtime is important for maintaining dignity and self-esteem in people with Alzheimer’s.

To encourage self-feeding, serve finger foods such as cut-up fruits and vegetables and sandwiches. Adapt to the person’s abilities by using bowls instead of plates if they are easier and providing appropriate utensils, such as easy-grip forks and spoons.

Always be vigilant about choking hazards by offering manageable bite-size pieces and ensuring that the person is seated upright.

Adapt to behavioral changes

Behavioral changes in people with Alzheimer’s happen because brain cell damage affects memory, reasoning, and emotional regulation. This can cause confusion, frustration, and difficulty understanding social cues, leading to changes in behavior and responses.

To manage these changes at mealtime, be patient and adaptable. Communicate simply and directly, offering choices to help the person feel in control. Show them the food and gently guide their hand, if needed, to help them understand what to do.

If they become agitated, allow for breaks and gently encourage them to return to the table. Maintaining a consistent routine can also help reduce anxiety and frustration.

Managing nutrition for people with Alzheimer’s requires creating a supportive and flexible mealtime environment tailored to their needs.

Dietary approaches such as the keto diet or Mediterranean diet may provide additional benefits, potentially supporting brain health and further improving nutrition.

By focusing on appealing foods, maintaining a consistent routine, and encouraging independence, caregivers can enhance the eating experience and overall well-being of people with Alzheimer’s disease.