Deficiency of Vitamin D can cause dementia over time

Deficiency of Vitamin D can cause dementia over time

Many Indians are unaware that they are Vitamin D deficient

New Delhi, 28 November 2017: While the benefits of Vitamin D in reducing the risk of heart disease, multiple sclerosis, and even rheumatoid arthritis have been documented in various studies, a new study has found that deficiency of this Vitamin D can increase the risk of developing dementia. As per the study, people severely deficient in vitamin D were 122% more likely to develop dementia. Despite being a country that receives ample sunlight, about 65% to 70% Indians are deficient in this most essential vitamin.

Vitamin D is not a simple vitamin and impacts virtually every cell in the body. It is synthesized in the skin on exposure to sunshine and is needed to absorb calcium and for bone health. Low vitamin D levels are widely known to harm bones, leading them to become thin, brittle, soft or misshapen. However, it is equally important for the heart, brain, and immune function.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "Vitamin D deficiency is linked with metabolic syndrome, heart diseases, and also with fertility. Research now has indicated a possible link to dementia as well. In India, the sun is worshipped as part of various festivals. The month of Magha, Vaishakha, and Kartik are considered as months for Shahi Snans where one is supposed to worship sun early in the morning and eat calcium rich food whether it is Urad Ki Daal or sesame seeds. The Chhat pooja which takes place immediately after Diwali is also linked to sun worship. The Marghshirsha month immediately after the month of Kartik also involves worshipping sun. Karkitpurnima and Vaishakhpurnima are especially known for sun worshiping. The current vitamin D mantra is that 40 days in a year for at least 40 minutes, one should expose 40% of the body to the sunlight either after sunrise or just before sunset.”

Vitamin D2 ergocalciferol is found in food items and our body makes Vitamin D3 cholecalciferol in the presence of sunlight. While both are extremely important, if D2 can be obtained from food, even little exposure to sun can help the body produce D3.

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “There are several reasons for deficiency of vitamin D. Lack of food fortification policies and more commonly our sociocultural practices, ‘sun-fleeing’ behavior, are major factors contributing to deficiency of this ‘sunshine vitamin’ in India which has abundant sunshine. Many people are unaware that they are vitamin D deficient.”

The following foods are good sources of Vitamin D.

Cod liver oil This oil comes from the liver of the cod fish and is considered extremely healthy. It helps ease joint pains and can be taken in capsule form or oil form.

Mushrooms If you love mushrooms, you are covered. Dried shitake mushrooms are a brilliant source of Vitamin D3 as well as Vitamin B. It is low in calorie and can be consumed daily.

Salmon Salmon is another good source of D3, Omega 3 and protein.

Sunflowers seeds This seed not only have Vitamin D3 but also comes with monounsaturated fats and protein.

Lack of awareness about dementia in India, says IMA

Lack of awareness about dementia in India, says IMA The problem is more in rural areas where there are not enough medical facilities available for timely diagnosis New Delhi, 01 August 2017: According to statistics from a recent research, more than 4 million Indians above the age of 60 suffer from dementia. Add to this the fact that about 1 in 16 households with an elderly person have a dementia patient. However, many people fail to recognize and understand the symptoms, says the IMA. In approximately 70% of the population in rural areas as well, dementia remains unrecognized and this can be largely attributed to limited medical facilities. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability. This can become severe enough to interfere with daily life. Memory loss is an example. Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia. Dementia is an umbrella term describing a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills. These can later become severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, “Lack of awareness about dementia is a major reason why those who experience forgetfulness, confusion, or difficulty in doing something do not consult doctors. There are also those individuals who may not choose to talk about it considering it shameful or a normal part of the ageing process. Dementia is caused by a damage to brain cells which further interferes with their ability to communicate with each other. This can affect thinking, behavior, and feelings in those with this condition. Dementia in most cases is not reversible but medication can provide some relief to the symptoms. At times, symptoms may appear due to reversible problems like vitamin or hormone deficiencies. These can be treated with timely consultation.” While symptoms of dementia vary in people, there are some basic signs which are significant in the diagnosis of dementia: loss of memory, problems with communication and language, decreased ability to focus and pay attention, impaired reasoning and judgment, and decreased visual perception. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the most widely used cognitive test for dementia. The examination takes approximately 7 minutes to complete. It tests a broad range of cognitive functions including orientation, recall, attention, calculation, language manipulation, and constructional praxis. A total maximal score on the MMSE is 30 points. A score of less than 24 points is suggestive of dementia or delirium. t is also recommended that people with dementia be screened for depression because it is a common treatable co-morbidity that may also masquerade as dementia.” Although there is no specific way to prevent dementia, following a healthy lifestyle can help lower the risk. The following steps can be taken towards this direction. • Consume a healthy diet • Maintain a healthy weight • Indulge in regularly physical activity • Do not consume alcohol in excess • Quit smoking right away • Maintain a healthy blood pressure level

A healthy lifestyle can reduce risk of dementia

A healthy lifestyle can reduce risk of dementia Lifestyle has a major role to play in the health and well-being of a person. It’s not just physical health that benefits from a healthy lifestyle, but also mental health. Dementia is usually regarded as a part of the normal aging process. But it is not always so. Dementia is also associated with lifestyle factors. And, the risk of dementia can be reduced by simple but effective lifestyle modifications. This is the key message from a new report of The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care, presented at the recently concluded Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2017 on July 20, 2017 and also published in The Lancet. The report has identified nine lifestyle factors (as below) during the course of life - early, middle and later – that influence the risk of dementia. Many of these factors can co-occur. The Report has for the first time considered social isolation and hearing as being pertinent to dementia. The level of education was also found to be an important risk factor. Poor education has been correlated with poor cognition. 1. Early life level of education 2. Midlife hypertension 3. Midlife obesity 4. Midlife hearing loss 5. Later life smoking 6. Later life physical inactivity 7. Later life social isolation 8. Later life depression 9. Later life diabetes Prevention is always better than cure. These factors are potentially modifiable and addressing them timely can prevent dementia in a large number of people. In addition to well-controlled hypertension and diabetes, early treatment of depression, weight loss, smoking cessation, being socially active, increasing physical activity, it is also important to engage in mentally stimulating and challenging exercises to keep the brain active. Develop a hobby, solve crossword puzzles, play chess or such challenging games to stay mentally active. A healthy lifestyle adopted early in life builds up cognitive reserve for later life. It is important that we also advise our patients to start making positive lifestyle changes for a healthy old age. (Source: Medscape) Dr KK Aggarwal National President IMA & HCFI

IMA guidelines: Preventing dementia and cognitive decline

IMA guidelines: Preventing dementia and cognitive decline Simple lifestyle modifications can help reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. New Delhi, March 15, 2017: Nearly 4 million people are living with some form of dementia, in India. Promising research shows that you can reduce your risk of dementias through a combination of simple but effective lifestyle changes. No matter what your age, it's not too late to take steps to prevent memory loss.Brain- healthy lifestyle measures starting as early as young adulthood, can significantly prevent the onset of age induced Alzheimer’s and related dementias later in life. In addition, good health habits can reduce the risk for illnesses that might affect your memory as well as the likelihood that you'll need medications that could have damaging side effects. Padma Shri Awardee Dr K.K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement said that, “Alzheimer’s is a very complex disorder and has multiple risk factors. Risk factors like genetics and your age are beyond your control, however, some of these factors are modifiable and form the basis of a brain- healthy lifestyle. These include stress management, regular exercise, good sleep, healthy diet, mental stimulation and social engagement. A low-fat, high-fibre diet including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains can help reduce your risk of some kinds of dementia”. Along with diet and exercise, it is important that you engage in regular mentally stimulating activities to keep those brain cells up and running. This is particularly beneficial for those who have crossed their 40s. “Try doing light brain stimulating tasks like crossword puzzles, quizzes, daily reading or anything similar that interests you. For older individuals, it is advised that they engage their mental reserves through social engagement and exercise. For most people, a minimum of 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as cycling or fast walking, is recommended.Good sleep should supplement these activities to obtain their full benefit”, adds Dr. K.K Aggarwal. Following are the some crucial protection strategies against dementia and cognitive decline. • Maintain a healthy weight. • Check your waistline. • Eat mindfully. Emphasize colorful, vitamin-packed vegetables and fruits; whole grains; fish, lean poultry, tofu, and beans and other legumes as protein sources; plus healthy fats. Cut down on unnecessary calories from sweets, sodas, refined grains like white bread or white rice, unhealthy fats, fried and fast foods, and mindless snacking. Keep a close eye on portion sizes, too. • Exercise regularly. Aim for 2½ to 5 hours weekly of brisk walking (at 4 mph). Or try a vigorous exercise like jogging (at 6 mph) for half that time. • Keep an eye on important health numbers. In addition to watching your weight and waistline, keep a watch on your cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and blood sugar numbers. • Smoking increases your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, cancer and dementia. • When possible, walk instead of driving or riding. • Try keeping up with current affairs, learning a new hobby, and playing challenging games to exercise your mind.

Eating fruits and vegetables may lower risk of dementia in older adults

Eating fruits and vegetables may lower risk of dementia in older adults A population-based observational study published February 10, 2017 in the journal Age and Ageing has yet again provided evidence for the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. The study says that at eating least three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruits daily might help prevent dementia in older adults. Researchers examined the diet of more than 17,000 Chinese older adults who attended the Elderly Health Centres in Hong Kong who did not have at study baseline. Their cognitive status was followed up for 6 years. The cut-off for minimal intake of vegetables and fruits was defined as that recommended by the WHO as at least three and two servings per day, respectively Compared with adults who did not adhere to WHO recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake, adults who consumed three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruits daily were found to be at lower risk of dementia development over 6 years. Dementia risk was further reduced for adults who consumed an additional three portions of vegetables each day, the team reports. According to the authors, the study also highlights the importance of daily intake of fruits and vegetables for cognitive maintenance. (Source: Medical News Today) Dr KK Aggarwal National President IMA & HCFI