You may have heard of intermittent fasting before. It’s one of the most effective diet and weight loss strategies out there. It also happens to have some implications for senior that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Intermittent fasting is a type of diet that alternates periods of fasting with periods of eating. There are several different variations of this, with one of the most popular being only eating after noon or only eating one meal per day. When done safely, intermittent fasting is associated with weight loss. Some studies have even linked it to a longer life span.
This new study indicates that it can help people suffering from Alzheimer’s get a higher quality of sleep. One of the major issues that those with Alzheimer’s face is a disruption to their sleeping patterns. This is because Alzheimer’s can have a negative impact on people’s circadian rhythms. Estimates say that this issue impacts about 80 percent of people with Alzheimer’s.
The study results stated that intermittent fasting can help to minimize the circadian disruptions that come along with Alzheimer’s. Just why this is is not quite clear yet. More research is necessary.
This research comes from the University of California at San Diego. They published their findings this month in the journal, Cell Metabolism. The study focused on mouse models, which tends to be one of the first big steps taken before treatment methods are tried in human models. Although mice might appear to be very different from humans, but they are very similar when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease. Hopefully, this helps to move Alzheimer’s
Intermittent fasting might be exactly what you or an older family member need to get to a healthier place in life. However, whenever you are making some sort of major like with your diet, it’s important to consult with a medical professional first. There are a lot of things to consider when making these kinds of changes. And even though they are healthy for many people, there are things that you might not know about that could have a negative impact on your health. A doctor will help you to navigate changes in a safe manner so that you can actually experience the healthy outcome that you are hoping for.
This is all just one component of a healthy and safe lifestyle for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is a very difficult thing to address and it can be even harder for families to provide the care and daily assistance that is needed to keep someone with dementia safe, healthy, and living the best life that they can. But it is possible to provide these things. A professional level of care can help to ensure that this happens.
If you have questions about steps that you can take to help a loved one live a higher quality of life, we’re here to help. Senior care can and should be an integral part of your care because it can make life a lot easier. This is what we specialize in. So if you’d like to learn more about how senior care can help you out, please get in touch.
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