Can Dementia Be Reversed by an Egg a Day?

Easter is right around the corner and many of us are already dreaming of spring. Particularly, those of us in frozen climates. It’s also a great time to discuss the benefits of getting in your daily eggs while you’re busy painting them with your kids or grandkids. Eggs have had a troubled past, to be sure, but as with most food trends, there are truths and misinformation that needs to be sorted out.

While it’s true that eggs do have a significant amount of cholesterol, they aren’t the crazy health risk we’ve been led to believe over the years. In fact, there is new information to suggest that eggs just might stave off or reverse degenerative neurological disorders. According to the report published in 2017 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the researchers found no link between egg intake and developing dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Benefits of Eggs

Getting in your one-a-day egg, while still a source of dietary cholesterol, hasn’t been shown to increase the risk of heart disease, despite popular belief. Heart disease is a risk factor for memory disorders, such as dementia and it can also increase the risk of stroke. However, eggs have actually been found to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack, as well as other benefits. Let’s take a closer look.

• Nutrient-rich – Eggs contain decent amounts of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as vitamins A, B2, B5, B6, B12, D, E, and K. They also contain folate, phosphorus, selenium, calcium, and zinc.

• Brain boost – In the study from the University of Eastern Finland (published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition), the researchers found egg consumption gives a boost in brain performance and helps to stave off degenerative memory diseases, such as dementia caused by Alzheimer’s. They have also found better brain performance in folks who eat eggs in psychological tests on the frontal lobe and areas of the brain associated with executive functioning.

• Good for eyes – Because of those antioxidants we discussed, eggs are great for eyesight because they can help counteract the degenerative process. Studies have shown lutein and zeaxanthin can significantly reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

• Raises HDL (Good Cholesterol) levels – Yes, it’s true eggs contain cholesterol, but dietary cholesterol is different from blood cholesterol. As it turns out, eating eggs has been shown to increase HDL levels as much as 10% after just six weeks.

• Reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack – While eggs have had a bad rap for years, it turns out the fear of getting high blood cholesterol by eating eggs was unfounded. In turn, it’s meant having to reevaluate the risks associate with eggs. Interestingly enough, the risk of stroke is reduced by 12% from consuming just one egg a day. Vitamin E has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks, particularly in people who already have existing cardiovascular disease.

• High quality protein – Proteins are the building blocks of the body and they’re required to function optimally. There are 6 grams of protein in a large egg, with only 77 calories. Eggs also contain amino acids in the proper ratios to make use of those full 6 grams.

Now, while we’re on the subject of the benefits of eggs, there is a little common sense that needs to be applied. This research is based on eggs themselves—not the butter, oil, or other ingredients you might add to, or with, your morning meal.

Yummy Easter Holiday Eggs

Need a healthy way to sneak your eggs in over Easter? You’ve heard of the infamous millennial avocado toast, right? Why not try a delicious avocado egg on toast? Same delicious avocado with the added health benefits of your brain boosting egg.

Here’s what you need:

• 1 egg (poached)

• ½ avocado (mashed)

• Pinch of salt

• Pinch of black pepper

• Pinch of cayenne pepper

• 1 slice of whole wheat or gluten-free toast

What to do

1. Toast your bread

2. Mash your avocado and mix with salt & peppers

3. Add the avocado mixture to the toast

4. Poach your egg

5. Place the egg on top and serve

It’s a healthy, delicious breakfast, minus all the unhealthy stuff that typically goes into a morning meal. Plus, the avocado makes for a bright and colorful breakfast even your kids will be excited for.

8 Tips to Stave Off or Reverse Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is closely related to diabetes and in some circles, it is even called “Type 3 diabetes.” This is because Alzheimer’s is linked by insulin resistance, which all starts from high blood sugar. In order to ward off or even reverse the symptoms of dementia caused by Alzheimer’s, it’s important to understand this link. Cognitive decline and dementia can be reversed by balancing insulin and blood sugar levels. Let’s take a closer look at ways to accomplish this:

1. Adjust your diet

– In order to get your insulin and blood sugar in check, you need to be consuming foods that are beneficial. The first thing you need to do is get rid of the foods and drinks in your diet causing problems. These include:

a. Refined carbs

b. Sugar

c. Alcohol

d. Caffeine

e. Processed foods

f. Dairy

g. And inflammatory oils, such as vegetable and seed oils

2. Balance your blood sugar levels

– Balancing your blood sugar then starts by incorporating low-glycemic whole foods into your diet. These include eating:

a. Healthy fats (ex. avocados, walnuts, and whole eggs)

3. Exercising daily

– Physical activity boosts neurogenesis (new brain cells) and inhibits the progression of any cognitive decline. Try to incorporate weight training alongside high intensity interval training (HIIT) for maximum benefit.

4. Consider supplementing with probiotics

– There is a correlation between the brain and gut. Having a healthy gut biome can provide a host of health benefits beyond the brain, as well: including lack of inflammation-causing arthritis, autism flare-ups, and even healthier skin.

5. Have your blood tested

– Check for out of whack thyroid or sex hormone levels and high levels of heavy metals. These can interfere with the way your brain functions.

6. Detox your body

– If you have found elevated levels of mercury or other heavy metals in your blood, talk to your doctor about how to detox them out of your system.

7. Get stress under control

– Chronic stress causes a host of health issues, from weight gain to lack of sleep and even, yes, dementia. If you want to reverse the symptoms of dementia, you’ll want to get a relaxation regimen in place to help you manage stress and anxiety.

8. Get your sleep

– Studies have shown poor sleep or lack of sleep is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s and other types of cognitive decline. Get as much sleep as possible to give your brain ample time to clean and rejuvenate itself.

Treatment Options/Medications for Dementia

Besides the tips listed above, there are a few medication options available to treat the symptoms of dementia caused by Alzheimer’s. Here are the three main ones we carry here at Canada Pharmacy Online. Let’s take a closer look at how they work:

• Aricept – This is a once-a-day prescription used for treating the symptoms of confusion (dementia) in relation to Alzheimer’s disease. It can improve nerve function in the brain, which in turn increases memory and boosts cognitive functioning.

• Exelon tablet or patch – This medication improves the function of nerve cells that process memory, thinking, and reasoning. It can be used with patients who are dealing with the symptoms of dementia caused by Alzheimer’s.

• Reminyl – This medication is prescribed to patients who have mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. It comes in an oral suspension, tablet, and extended release capsule. This medication works the best at increasing cognitive functioning when treatment has begun right after diagnosis.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s can be a scary diagnosis. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s itself, there is room to treat and even reverse the symptoms of dementia caused by Alzheimer’s. Eggs can be a great source of fighting the effects of cognitive decline, but they’re not the only thing you can consider. Hopefully you’ve found some effective ways to stave off or reverse dementia in this article. Here’s to a happy, healthy brain for years to come.

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