🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Currently, no definitive treatment exists for senile dementia, but proper nutrition can prevent or delay its onset. Key dietary principles involve balanced nutrient intake: increase plant-based protein and calcium-rich foods, moderately supplement vitamin E and phosphatidylcholine, eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, reduce aluminum and copper intake, limit fatty meats, salt, and sugar. Below are specific dietary methods to prevent senile dementia:
◆ Supplement folic acid and vitamin B12
Senile dementia correlates with deficiencies in folic acid and vitamin B12. European hospitals tested hundreds of diagnosed dementia patients and found abnormally high homocysteine levels in their blood. Since folic acid and vitamin B12 help lower homocysteine, supplementing them may prevent dementia. Besides animal products like meat, eggs, dairy, fish, and shellfish—which contain abundant vitamin B12—fermented soy products also produce significant amounts, especially stinky tofu.
◆ Regular consumption of soybeans
Soybeans contain active substances like isoflavones, saponins, and oligosaccharides. U.S. scientists found soy isoflavones have brain-protective effects. Their chemical structure remains stable regardless of cooking method—stir-frying, boiling, or stewing—without losing efficacy. Thus, regular soy intake provides ample plant protein, helps prevent dyslipidemia and arteriosclerosis, and offers anti-cancer and dementia-prevention benefits.
◆ Eat more fish or supplement fish oil
Canadian researchers studied 70 elderly Toronto residents (a quarter with dementia) and found healthy elders had significantly higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids (especially DHA) in their blood than dementia patients. Omega-3 is abundant in fish and helps prevent heart disease. Therefore, eating more fish—especially oily varieties like salmon, trout, and squid—effectively prevents both dementia and cardiovascular disease.
◆ Increase phosphatidylcholine intake
Japanese scientists discovered acetylcholine deficiency is a primary cause of senile dementia. Phosphatidylcholine serves as a precursor for acetylcholine synthesis in the brain. People can obtain it from foods to prevent dementia. Natural sources include soy and its products, fish brains, egg yolks, pork liver, sesame, yam, mushrooms, peanuts—these provide essential nutrients to support brain function, enhance intelligence, and slow cognitive decline.
◆ Increase unsaturated fats and vitamins, reduce salt
Dietary patterns high in unsaturated fats, low in salt and fat help prevent cardiovascular disease. Vitamins—especially vitamin E and C—can neutralize free radicals and delay aging. Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C include rose hips, kiwi, fresh jujubes, strawberries, kumquats, chili peppers, green garlic, baby bok choy, and spinach. Vitamin E-rich foods include wheat germ, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, sesame oil, corn oil, peas, sweet potatoes, poultry eggs, and butter.
◆ Reduce aluminum and copper intake
Studies show excessive aluminum and copper intake may trigger senile dementia. While our diet rarely contains high aluminum levels, some food additives do—like household yeast powder, food stabilizers in salted foods, cheese, and soda crackers. Though quantities are small, older adults should avoid long-term or excessive consumption.
Aluminum content in drinking water is also critical. Surface water contains little aluminum, but increasingly severe acid rain causes aluminum to dissolve into water, leading to excessive intake.
Many modern cookware items are aluminum-based. Storing overly acidic or salty foods in them for extended periods increases aluminum absorption. Thus, older adults must avoid such factors contributing to excessive aluminum intake.
High copper intake can also cause dementia. Foods rich in copper—such as cocoa powder, dried tea leaves, animal liver, walnuts, and sesame paste—should be eaten sparingly.
Moreover, middle-aged and elderly individuals should consume more zinc-, manganese-, selenium-, and germanium-rich foods—such as seafood, shellfish, fish, dairy, legumes, nuts, silkworm pupae, garlic, and mushrooms—for effective prevention of senile dementia.
Asthma sufferers often experience persistent coughing and wheezing, making sleep nearly impossible—a painful ordeal. Many asthma patients are sensitive to certain foods and must avoid them, limiting their enjoyment. Does this mean they can never enjoy delicious meals? Nutritionists reveal that asthma patients can actually customize their own nutritious dishes.