So I wrote a letter to the editor of our local paper not long ago about how the healthcare system is failing our society and making those devastated by Dementia and Alzheimer’s even worse.
Here is that letter:
I got a call from my mother yesterday that brought this all back. My Uncle is now in palliative care. He is 74 years old and has been suffering from dementia for about 5 years. He will pass any time now.
My grandfather passed at 98 years old from dementia. He was had no cognitive issues until after his wife passed and this was when he was 94. Before this time he was eating his normal diet heavy in meats and fats. My grandfather was famous for taking all the fat off everyone’s meat and eating it. He loved fat. He loved bacon and loved eggs. He was always lean and never had any health issues. Shortly before my grandmother died, they were having meals brought in. This continued after she passed. He got progressively worse after she passed. I am sure her passing had something to do with it but he still remained on his own until he was 96. At 96 he went into a home. The food there was shameful. Every meal was juice, grains, and sugar. Very little fat and protein.
By 98 he was in palliative care and wasted away to nothing. The level of degradation from the time he entered the home until he passed was astonishing. Now my uncle is in the same situation.
My uncle did not follow the same diet as my grandfather. His wife loved to bake and they ate lots of high carb meals and deserts. Bread was the focus at every meal. He started to develop signs of the disease before he was 70. I offered help to them but they refused. The doctor said diet would have no effect and he should take his meds and face what is to come. He had to be placed in a home 6 months ago as he was out of control. He would yell at people that were not there and become very violent. From 6 months to today he has degraded as far as my grandfather had in 2 years. Again, every meal is grains and sugar with little meat and fat.
Dementia is a disease of insulin resistance of the brain. This is why it is being called Diabetes type 3. The science is out there. It is clear that this is the issue.
Why if the science is out there do we keep force feeding people the foods that make them get worse. Absolute insanity. It feels like these heath care facilities are killing our family members when it is their job to care for them. I know it comes from a place of ignorance rather than malice but it is still hard to swallow. When will the health care world pull their head out of their asses and start using science and common sense to care for people.
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Jack, thank you for this letter.
I leave in a retirment home, could tell you things that make your hair stand up.
I have been doing keto, IF,EF, OMAD since nov1, 2016.
Well I am glad you are able to control your own food but sad that you have to witness terrible things. It is such a shame and I am dreading the time when I may have to go in a home. Hopefully things have changed by that time.
You only need to add in something about Statins to make this a perfect letter. Glad you are here to help so many
I have gone off on statins many times. They definitely have a big factor but but my main focus was on food quality.
I was wondering if you believe that eating like you have described can be associated with stroke also? Just asking because my MIL recently passed away and she was know for low fat and sugar substitutes for sweets. Thank you for your time.
Absolutely. You need fat in your diet to live. You need to avoid carbs and toxins to stay healthy.
My mom is also in a nursing home. Where they serve awful food. And she seems to be declining fast it’s just awful to sit back and see her get worse.
I know. It is frustrating. I’ve now watched it twice in a row. Both my grandfather and Uncle when from healthy weight and lucid to skeletons and comatose in 6 months of being placed in homes.
So what your saying is sugar is a part of the problem. That we should eat more meat. What about the Vegan diet, is it good to stop this happening. What diet is best?
Sugar, grains and anything processed is the problem. Not necessarily more meat. More meat and more fat. Fat is key. Fat provides an alternate form of fuel for the brain in the form of ketones that the brain of a person with dementia or alzheimer’s is able to utilize.
I do not advise a vegetarian diet. It is very difficult to get all vital nutrients this way. This is why there has never been a plant based culture that existed before our time. it was not feasible.
Low carb high fat diets are the original human Diet.
I just saw this. Thank you for your research.
My father had Parkinson’s disease which, in him, presented many of the cognitive effects of dimentia. While at home, he ate meats and fats. He walked. He maintained a healthy weight. He declined very quickly in a nursing home setting after my mom passed away (Type 2). He wasted away, lost mobility, and was rarely present in reality. I’m happy that he never forgot me, at least. He passed away in February – 3 days prior to the posting of this article. I wish I had known then what I know now…
I am so sorry for your loss. It is tragic that this happens but it is the common tale. I just lost my uncle at the age of 74 with severe dementia. It si comming on faster and faster and it is a shame because there is a cure.