Are Eggs Good for Dementia and Alzheimer’s?

Despite all the modern medical advances in curing ailments, Alzheimer’s remains a cure-less disease. More than 5 million people worldwide suffer from this degenerative illness. A few modern drugs can alleviate mild memory loss, but scientists still need to understand the disease better and come up with new treatment strategies. Alzheimer’s is one of the most crippling diseases, but evidence suggests it can be avoided with everyday foods, making prevention possible. Among the best foods to prevent Alzheimer’s is egg, one of the key ingredients in every delicious breakfast. But are eggs good for dementia?

How Does Dementia Affect the Brain? 

The term dementia describes a progressive cognitive decline that affects multiple cognitive domains and impairs daily functioning and independence. Most cases of dementia result from Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which accounts for 60 to 70 percent of them. In general, dementia prevalence increases as a result of population aging, although it varies across geographical regions. Check out the 7 Stages of Dementia for more information.

To reduce the incidence rates and burden of dementia, primary prevention remains the most effective strategy. It is possible to prevent or delay up to 40% of dementia by modifying 12 known modifiable risk factors, such as education, smoking, obesity, alcohol, and physical activity, while also eating an effective diet. For this reason, we have dedicated our article to diet, specifically eggs.

Are Eggs Good for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients?

Recently, researchers reported that eggs might be bad for your heart, bringing the debate back full circle. Dietary cholesterol is a controversial topic, especially since obesity and heart disease are on the rise. Several dietitians, however, explained that eggs must not be avoided as part of a healthy diet since the cholesterol our bodies produce is different from the cholesterol we eat.

Protein, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids all make eggs a healthy breakfast option. In addition to this, eggs contain another nutrient that could affect our brain health, Choline.

How does Choline Relate to Dementia? 

Among the functions of Choline are metabolism, detoxification, fat production, and the development of the brain and memory. Having Choline in our brains may not only help them develop, but it may also protect them against cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland. 

Several bioactive compounds found in eggs, including lutein, Choline, zeaxanthin, and high-value proteins, may play a protective role against dementia by preventing inflammation. The antioxidant property of lutein in eggs may also prevent the accumulation of oxidative and inflammatory stress on brain tissue. 

The study analyzed the data of 2,500 middle-aged men and found that those who ate the most Choline had a 28 percent lower risk of dementia than those who ate the least. Additionally, these men performed strongly on memory and language tests. One large egg is estimated to contain 25 percent of your daily choline requirements, which is more than any other food except beef liver.

How Do Specific Diets Affect Dementia?

Several studies have linked healthy eating patterns and Mediterranean Diet, which includes eggs, with cognitive benefits. Observational studies of more than 900 dementia-free seniors suggest that the Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and slows cognitive decline. The Mediterranean diet benefits the brain, and its ability to improve cardiovascular health may reduce dementia risk. The strongest factor appears to be eating fish and eggs in two recent studies.

Other Benefits of Eggs for Seniors 

Many of us know someone whose cognitive function has declined. As drugs have not made significant progress in treating dementia, many people find themselves asking: How can I maintain a healthy lifestyle as I age? In addition to helping seniors lead healthier lives, eggs also have a lot of nutritional benefits, including:

• Good for eyes: The effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on cataracts and macular degeneration have appeared in studies.
• Nutrient-rich: In addition to lutein and zeaxanthin, eggs contain vitamins A, B2, B5, B6, B12, D, E, and K. Vitamins A and B are also present in eggs, as well as folate, phosphorus, selenium, calcium, and zinc.
• Raises HDL (Good Cholesterol) levels: Within six weeks of eating eggs, HDL levels tend to increase by 10%.
• Reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack: When you consume one egg a day, you reduce your stroke risk by 12%. Studies indicate that vitamin E reduces the risk of heart attacks, especially in people with cardiovascular disease.
• High-quality protein: The body’s functions depend on proteins, which are the body’s building blocks. A large egg contains 6 grams of protein and only 77 calories. 

Final Words

Fortunately, It is possible to obtain high-quality protein from eggs at a low cost, and they are widely available. While more research is needed to answer the question: Are eggs good for dementia and Alzheimer’s? We hope this recent study gives you another reason to add eggs to your daily breakfast routine. We also have dozens of Supplements to Prevent Alzheimer’s that you may find helpful.