Food & Drink for Thought

These are notes taken from meetings with the specialists in Houston when we would take my sister in for evaluation. These doctors are very well versed in FTD, however handle many other Neurological Disorders.

For ultimate brain function here is what the docs told us:

1. Alcohol taken moderately. Alcohol use can slow down the generation of new cells. With any form of dementia, you need all the new cells you can get…and that applies to most of the population, because eventually we will all experience some form of dementia.
http://blogs.psychologytoday.com/blog/addiction-science/200810/what-does-alcohol-do-your-brain great article about alcohol and the brain

2. Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is underrated. Your brain needs time to recharge. Depression, weight gain, and mania can increase when the brain is deprived of the necessary hours of sleep.

3. Food for the Brain. Blueberries, strawberries, walnuts all really good treats we should intake daily.

People with Alzheimer's may have lower amounts of Acetylcholine (ACh).

Acetylcholine rich foods: egg yolks, peanuts, wheat germ, meat, fish, milk, cheese and veggies
(broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower).


Dopamine generally excites and is involved in movement, attention and learning.

Dopamine rich foods include proteins (meat, milk products, fish, beans, nuts, soy products).


Serotonin usually inhibits and is involved in arousal and sleep, mood, appetite and sensitivity. Also produces feelings of pleasure.

Serotonin rich foods are carbo based (pasta, starchy vegetables, potatoes, cereals, breads).


Vitamins & Minerals - necessary for growth and function of the brain.

B complex - is important for the brain. Vitamins A, C and E are powerful antioxidants and promote and preserve memory in the elderly.

Minerals - also critical to mental function and performance. Magnesium and manganese are needed for brain energy. Sodium, potassium and calcium are important in the thinking process and they facilitate the transmission of messages.

Omega-3 fatty acids - improve learning and memory while helping to fight against such mental disorders as depression, mood disorders, and dementia. Found in salmon and walnuts .

So much of this information is available now on the internet. Fabulous resources available now.