High Carb Diet in Elderly Bad for the Brain
A balanced diet include food rich in carbohydrates. Although there are already way too many fitness regimens and programs that cut back on carb intake, we cannot dismiss the fact that we need carbohydrates to supply energy for the body processes. For the physically active people, high carb is an important element of their diet, but for the older ones too much carbs may not be a good idea for the brain.
A recent study examined the types of calories elderly people were eating — fats, carbs and proteins –- then tracked the people to see how diet related to risk of dementia. At the beginning of the study, 937 elderly people who did not have any signs of mild cognitive impairment or dementia were asked to complete a questionnaire about their typical food intake. The researchers then calculated the amount of calories the respondents got from carbohydrates, proteins and fats. About 200 people developed mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Those who got the highest percentage of their calories from carbohydrates were found to have higher risk of developing dementia.
“A dietary pattern with relatively high caloric intake from carbohydrates and low caloric intake from fat and proteins may increase the risk of MCI or dementia in elderly persons,” concluded by the researchers in their abstract.
Though the study did not outline the reasons that a high carb diet may increase risk of dementia, the researchers suggest that more research still need to be done to fully establish the link between high carb diets in elderly and the development of cognitive problems.
