Your health: Brain foods may help avoid dementia
Brain foods may help avoid dementia
A study, recently published in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia, suggests that eating certain "brain foods" decreases your chances of getting Alzheimer's disease.
The neurological disorder is the sixth-leading cause of death in America, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
A "brain food" is a food that is believed to be beneficial to your brain because it helps increase your intellectual power.
A few brain power foods include: leafy greens, blueberries, seeds and nuts, fatty fish, olive oil, lentils, legumes and whole grains. These foods are part of a Mediterranean-style diet, according to the Alzheimer's Association, which also reported that this diet lowers the risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Foods that are good for the brain have other benefits, too. "Fortunately, foods that boost your memory also are foods that help to protect your heart," says Melodi Peters, a registered dietitian at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington.
"Deep colored fruits and vegetables are the best," Peters says. "The deeper the color, the better the source of memory-boosting flavonoids. Broccoli, kale, blackberries, blueberries and dark cherries are literally super foods. You should also include whole grains, black or wild rice and whole oats in your diet."
While diet is important for mental health, other factors also contribute. "Maintaining a healthy weight, quality and duration of sleep and regular exercise also play a major role in brain health," says Peters.
Parents say kids' teeth could be better
Only 31 percent of Illinois parents of children 12 and younger would give their kids an A grade for their overall oral health, according to results from a survey recently released by Delta Dental of Illinois.
Parents also report they are worried about the school days their kids miss because of oral health problems, with parents reporting that one in five Illinois children ages 6 to 12 missed school last year because of oral health problems.
Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. Untreated tooth decay is not only painful, but also may affect a child's ability to eat and speak. Poor oral health is also detrimental to a child's learning and success in school, contributing to school absences and lower grades.
The survey results show there is need for improvement in Illinois:
• 29 percent of Illinois children have had cavities in the past year.
• Only 65 percent of Illinois children who have visited a dentist have done so before age 5. Experts advise that children should visit the dentist by age 1.
• 40 percent of Illinois children do not brush their teeth the recommended two times per day
However, the same survey of Illinois parents also showed that kids who take good care of their teeth are more outgoing, confident and successful than those who do not have good oral health habits. Illinois parents report that children who brush their teeth at least two times a day are more likely to be successful (66 percent), outgoing (73 percent) and proud of themselves (76 percent).
"Pain caused by oral health problems can affect a child in many ways, from their ability to focus in the classroom to their confidence," said Katina Spadoni, DDS, dental director for Delta Dental of Illinois. "Good oral health is a key component to a child's overall well-being. Not only will good oral health give a child confidence, but it can also help a child succeed in school."
Here are a few things parents and children can do to keep children's mouths healthy:
• Brush all surfaces of the teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day. Brush teeth gently for two minutes and pay special attention to the gum line.
• Floss teeth at least once a day.
• Pack a healthy lunch, limiting sugary snacks and high-starch or refined carbohydrate foods. Pack milk or water instead of juice. The bacteria that cause tooth decay thrive on simple sugars like those found in sticky foods and drinks.
• Schedule regular dental visits.