Nutrition in the old adult in relation to the aging brain

Nutrition in the aged

1. Nutrition in the old adult related to aging brain Ansah Asare Bernice

2. CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. Types of brain damage 3. Nutrition and the Aging brain 4. Conclusion

3. INTRODUCTION As people age they become increasingly susceptible to chronic and extremely debilitating brain diseases. The precise cause of the neuronal degeneration underlying these disorders, and indeed normal brain ageing remains elusiv e, but has been associated with neuroinflammation and oxidative damage. Ageing causes the brain shrinkage of 5 - 10%, with most cognitive change observed in memory and sensation.

4. INTRODUCTION In estimation, the brain loses half it’s ACH-producing nuclei, 35-40% dopamine nuclei, 35-40% serotonin nuclei and the hippocampus losses 5% of its nuclei. The Brain and the Spine losses nerves causing defects in the transfer of sensations, involuntary muscle movements, and affects balance and equilibrium. Though defects in the brain is inevitable with aging, several factors, paramountly nutrition can curb or slow the process.

5. Common Illnesses of The Aging brain There are a couple of brain damage as one ages. Several factors contributes to this decline, from medical to nutritional deficiencies. Some of this condition are dementia, memory loss, difficulty in concentration and confusion Deficiencies of the vitamins, B12 and B6 have been associated with neurological and psychological dysfunction and with congenital defects.

6. MEMORY LOSS AND DEMENTIA Memory is affected by age and it may be hard for the aged to remember facts and events of the past. It is also characterized by the difficulty to retain information for a few seconds. The Aging brain has trouble encoding memories more than a younger brain does. If 2 or more brain functions involoving memoey and langange is problematic, dementia is diagnosed.

7. ALZHEIMER’S Alzheimer’s deteriotes the parts of the brain that is vital in thinking, reasonong and memory. It cause ones to become fully dependent on another as he loses all the necessary live skills. The final stages of the disease, the person may be completely lost in reality and will eventually die .

8. Nutrition for the Aging brain Certain dietary patterns, like high intake of fruits, vegetables and fish are beneficial to aging brain. The Mediterranean diet has being recognized to perseve cognitive health and depression in the ageing. This diet is characterized by a higher intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and unsaturated fatty acids. The next slides shows the evident nutritional needs of the aging brain.

9. POLYPHENOLS Polyphenol are micronutrients found in plant-based foods-flavonoids, stibenes, and the phenolic acid. Polyphenols can cross the brain-blood barrier and antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Polyphenol-rich plants and plant extractes include the berries, cherries, grapes, green tea, cloves, cocoa and dark chocolate, etc.

10. MICRONUTRIENTS Some essential antioxidants trace elements are utterly vital in brain function protection. Zinc acts positively in brain health as it provides insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammation and oxidation. (Crabs, oysters, nuts, etc) Selenuim (Se) protects the brain cells against oxidative stress and a deficiency can cause the aging brian to decline in function. Chromuim (Cr) reduces insulin resistance and decrease oxidative stress.

11. PROTEINS High intake of dietary protiens has been associated with increased working memory and problem solvong ability. Increase in peripheral amino acid content contributes to the balance in brain glutamate, which improves cognition. It also influence health-related parameters like sleep, physical function, etc which improves cognition.

12. VITAMINS Specific vitamins have investigated in the relation to brain health and disease. Vitamin D acts directly on the brain as it has a receptor on it and its deficeincy in the blood serum has been associated with acute dementia and worsening cognitive function.

13. VITAMINS Vitamin B6 may indirectly help with brain function by lowering levels of homocysteine, as high levels of this protein in the body have been linked with a higher incidence of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive decline. V itamin B12 can improve brain function in older people with vitamin B12 deficiency whether they have dementia or not. .

14. CONCLUSION Nutrition has a important roles in preserving the cognition and preventing late life dementia and its relevance should not downplaced. Caretakers of senior citizens should be educated periodically on the importance balancing the diets of the elderly.

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