Cause 12. Unhealthy Diet – A Silent Contributor to Vascular Dementia
An unhealthy diet is a silent contributor to a host of health conditions, including vascular dementia. Diets high in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol can lead to the development of conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, which in turn, increase the risk of VaD.
Diets rich in unhealthy fats can cause the build-up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels, a condition known as atherosclerosis. When these deposits block blood vessels in the brain, it can lead to a stroke or smaller “silent” strokes, both of which can result in vascular dementia.
Additionally, unhealthy diets often lack key nutrients necessary for brain health, including B vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients play vital roles in brain function, and their deficiency can accelerate brain aging and cognitive decline, contributing to the development of vascular dementia.
Conversely, a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can reduce the risk of vascular dementia. Certain dietary approaches, such as the Mediterranean diet or the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, have been shown to lower the risk of vascular dementia and can be considered as part of a proactive strategy for dementia prevention. (12)
