Senior Memory Impaired (Excessive Carbs)

[SeaBreeze]

Seniors who eat too many carbohydrates may be more likely to develop cognitive impairment or memory problems, which may lead to Alzheimers.

Carbohydrates Linked to
Cognitive Impairment

NOVEMBER 2012—Seniors who load their plates with pasta, bread and rice may experience diminished brain function, according to a Mayo Clinic study.
Clinic researchers based their results on four years’ worth of data taken from 1,230 residents of Minnesota’s Olmsted County. Study participants were all between the ages of 70 and 89.

A high-carb diet was associated with a fourfold increase in risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, often a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease. In contrast, a high-protein diet lowered risk by 21% and a diet high in fat from nuts and oils dropped risk by 42%. Results were reported in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

When digested, carbohydrates—especially the refined varieties found in white bread, rice and pasta—are broken down into simple sugars within the body. “Sugar fuels your brain, so you need some carbohydrates,” says Mayo epidemiologist Rosebud Roberts, MB, ChB, lead study author. “But too much may stop the brain from using sugars effectively.” Roberts adds that excess sugar in the blood may also spur development of the amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s.

Protein and fat tend to slow the conversion of starchy carbohydrate into sugar, as do the complex carbs found in vegetables and whole grains.
According to results from the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study released in 2008, mild cognitive impairment affects 22.2% of all Americans 71 years and older, or about 5.4 million people.

Source: http://energytimes.com/pages/news.html

 

[Elzee]

This is good news, as I have cut back on my carbs. Perhaps there is more to cutting back on carbs then just losing weight. My husband and I eat whole grain bread and brown rice. But Christmas cookies are just too tempting. Although this year, I plan to make only one batch of my favorite Christmas cookies, instead of four batches. Well, at least that is my plan.

 

[SeaBreeze]

I like my carbs, but like you, I've cut down, for weight and health reasons. I often use organic whole wheat spagetti, oat nut bread and wild/brown rice mixes as healthier options. I just made a visit to a very good French bakery and bought some Napoleans, strudels, lemon mousse pasteries, etc. I know, very bad, but it's normally a holiday season treat for us. We try to balance it out with extra healthy eating afterwards.

 

[TWHRider]

That's an interesting theory. I tend to have memory problems when I'm under the gun from several different directions all at once. I'm a Drill Sergeant when it comes to multi-tasking but I have my limits. I could make lists but then I would be cowing down to my own self - unless it's the grocery list - that doesn't count for this conversation - lol lol lol

My memory losses are generally Selective and my recall is fantastic when I want to drive home a point to Mr. TWHRider regarding something that happened in terms of years ago - lol lol lol lol

 

[SifuPhil]

*munching on a huge bowl of spaghetti with a loaf of Italian bread and a side bowl of rice*

... what was this thread about?


If this is true then I'm up the creek - I like my pasta and bread and rice far too much to give it up.

I just use the "Moderation-in-All-Things" Diet - works for me so far.

 

[maybenot]

I eat whatever I feel like eating and don't worry about carbs etc, I don't exercise apart from walking the dog and after 50 yrs only
recently stopped smoking, not because of health reasons, they're just too dear . ( if ciggies are so bad, govmnt should supply all us pensioners with a couple of free cartons a week with our pittance, think of the money they'd save on pensions if they're right!)
I guess you can tell that I haven't been in the most amiable of moods today but strangely enough I feel better already, p'raps
I should 'vent my spleen' more often