Nuts, in general, are some of the best sources of minerals and unique antioxidants, including magnesium, folate, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin B6. A handful of almonds, walnuts, or peanuts can give you a good boost of these cognition-enhancing compounds.

Ashwagandha (sometimes called Indian ginseng or winter cherry) is one of the most common herbs to treat Alzheimer’s disease. It is rich in antioxidants and helps support a healthy immune system.

This supplement can also protect nerve cells and increase acetylcholine activity, which improves cognitive function. A study involving 50 patients with mild cognitive impairment showed that using this natural product can improve short—and long-term memory, executive function, sustained attention, and information-processing speed. These results indicate the positive effects of ashwagandha.

Bacopa leaf extract, called Brahmi, is used in Ayurvedic or Indian medicine to treat asthma, epilepsy, insomnia, and rheumatism. In addition, this herb is rich in polyphenolic compounds that limit oxidative stress and age-related cognitive decline in the brain. These compounds can cross the blood-brain barrier and reach the brain, where—at least in theory—they associate with neurotransmitters to enhance memory, learning, and other cognitive functions.

Clinical trials with healthy elderly patients showed that using a product containing Bacopa (and other herbs) improved cognitive function and reduced inflammation in the brain. Further investigations are needed to assess the potential neuroprotective action of Bacopa against Alzheimer’s disease.

Bacopa may slow the heart rate. People with stomach ulcers, intestinal or heart problems, or emphysema should not take bacopa.

Bananas are a rich source of potassium and an excellent vasodilator. This fantastic way to boost oxygenated blood flow to the brain improves cognition, memory, and concentration.

This is an excellent adjunct - gummies are recommended.

Cinnamon extract has been proven to reduce plaque buildup in the brain, thus boosting memory and cognition.

This popular herb has long been trusted to improve cognition, and studies have shown a 50% improvement in cognitive performance and memory in patients taking regular club moss supplements.

Coconut oil reverses nerve damage, helping to boost communication with the brain and ensuring normal cognition for those suffering from early signs of dementia.

Also known as ubiquinone, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)is an antioxidant naturally occurring in the body. CoQ10 is essential to multiple bodily functions, including providing energy to cells and preventing oxidative stress.

Studies show that CoQ10 can benefit patients with heart conditions and Parkinson’s disease, but results are often mixed. In theory, CoQ10 should also be able to reduce amyloid levels in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, but a clinical trial failed to show any cognitive benefits after four months of supplementation. So far, the only positive results have been in studies on rodents.

CoQ10 is found in oily fish, whole grains, and fruit. Supplements are widely available over the counter.

Omega-3 fatty acids are the "good" cholesterol that prevents brain lesions, often precursors or causative elements behind dementia.

Ginger is widely used as an infusion or as a nutritional supplement to treat a variety of conditions, including diabetes, chemotherapy-induced nausea, arthritis, gastric dysfunction, pain, and respiratory disorders. Some studies also suggest the potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Ginger can inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase and similarly improve cognitive function to prescription drugs used for patients with dementia. In addition, it can limit the damaging effects of oxidative stress and protect nerve cells in the brain.

Studies using ginger products, such as Davaie Loban and Kihito, found significant improvements in memory in patients with Alzheimer’s. Ginger can also improve various cognitive functions in healthy people, including memory, attention, learning, language, and reaction time.

Ginkgo Biloba is one of the oldest and most trusted natural remedies for dementia and Alzheimer’s. Research studies show that ginkgo can increase microdilution and circulation within the brain to boost short-term memory. Ginkgo biloba supplements are some of the world's most popular herbal remedies for cognitive function.

Traditional medicines use Gotu kola to help with brain function. Studies show that certain compounds in this supplement can reduce oxidative stress and protect against damage caused by the amyloid plaques in patients with Alzheimer’s.

Studies show this supplement can benefit healthy people and patients with mild cognitive impairment. Some patients also reported feeling better, likely due to the relaxing effect of Gotu kola.

Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. It has many health benefits, including preventing atherosclerosis, lowering cholesterol, and protecting against cancer.

In addition, regularly consuming green tea can prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease in healthy patients and improve cognitive function. Studies confirm that green tea can delay the formation of amyloid plaque and reduce the formation of free radicals, which cause oxidative damage in the brain.

The main limitation of this supplement is that most of its main chemical components are quickly metabolised in the digestive tract and, therefore, reach the brain only in small amounts. In practical terms, for patients to feel any benefits, they need to drink green tea regularly.

Huperzine A is extracted from a plant called Huperzia serrata and has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries to treat various conditions, including fever and swelling. As it has properties similar to those of cholinesterase inhibitors - a type of medication commonly prescribed to patients with Alzheimer’s - it’s often also used to treat this condition.

Studies suggest that Huperzine A can reduce the accumulation of amyloid plaque, reduce oxidative stress, and protect nerve cells in the brain. However, although a clinical trial with patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s showed that Huperzine A can improve cognitive function, patients failed to feel any benefits in their daily lives.

There are some concerns that Huperzine A can cause gastrointestinal blockage, affect the liver, and interact with some medications. Talk to your health provider before taking Huperzine A if you already take medicine to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

This cruciferous vegetable is a rich source of folate and carotenoids, which lower homocysteine levels. Homocysteine has been directly linked to cognitive impairment, so anything that combats that substance is a positive for dementia patients.

Lion’s mane is an edible mushroom in North America, Europe, and Asia. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for its neuroprotective, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Studies show that lion’s mane can reduce the accumulation of tau protein and amyloid plaque formation and increase levels of acetylcholine and choline acetyltransferase in the brain. In addition, this supplement can improve cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, helping them perform their daily activities for longer. Lion’s mane seems well-tolerated and safe for managing Alzheimer’s disease.

Essential - take in supplement form.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the primary omega-3 fatty acid in the brain. It is found in the membranes surrounding nerve cells and is essential for the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Studies show that patients with Alzheimer’s disease who have lower levels of omega-3 levels (especially DHA) are more likely to experience a faster cognitive decline, including worsening memory and executive function, compared to patients with higher levels of these fatty acids. Omega-3s are helpful because, among other functions, they promote plasticity in the brain and lower the accumulation of amyloid plaques.

Dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids is only beneficial for patients with Alzheimer’s disease during the very early stages or in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Omega-3s are helpful before the disease significantly affects brain function, but they provide limited cognitive protection in patients with moderate to late-stage Alzheimer’s. In addition, patients are unlikely to feel any benefits if they’re already taking acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Panax ginseng is a traditional supplement commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. This supplement can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including heart failure, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and cancer.

These compounds can regulate acetylcholinesterase activity, promote communication between nerve cells, reduce amyloid plaque deposition, and limit brain oxidative damage. Studies show that regular supplementation can improve cognitive function in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.

Panax ginseng is generally safe, but it may cause insomnia, rapid heartbeat, and high blood pressure in high doses or when combined with other medications.

Phosphatidylserine is a chemical involved in many functions in the human body, especially in the brain. Given its presence in the brain, phosphatidylserine is believed to help older adults with Alzheimer’s.

Clinical trials with phosphatidylserine showed promising results, including better cognitive performance and significantly improved learning and language abilities. There is some evidence that phosphatidylserine has a long-term effect and can trigger beneficial structural changes in the brain rather than transient metabolic changes.

Currently, the USA FDA allows supplements containing phosphatidylserine derived from fish or soy to claim that "very limited and preliminary scientific research suggests that phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of dementia in the elderly."

It’s important to note that phosphatidylserine should not be taken if patients are on blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin. Phosphatidylserine may cause sleeplessness, and it may interact with other medicines for Alzheimer’s disease and glaucoma.

Essential - take in supplement form.

Pumpkin and similar squash species contain iron and folate, essential for circulation and cognitive function.

Saffron is a crimson-coloured spice widely cultivated in Iran, India, and Greece. In addition to being used in the textile and cosmetic industries, saffron also boasts a variety of medicinal properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Studies show that this supplement can improve cognitive function in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s at the same rate as prescription drugs donepezil or memantine, with the bonus of fewer side effects. Saffron can treat patients with dementia because it can inhibit the aggregation and deposition of beta-amyloid plaques.

Saffron may cause anxiety, appetite changes, and headaches. Patients who take blood pressure medicine or blood thinners should not take saffron.

Salvia has microdilution properties that can increase blood flow in parts of the brain responsible for memory and cognition, slowing the decline in dementia.

Spinach and other leafy green vegetables contain folate and B9, linked to boosted cognitive function. They also lower levels of depression, which can be a significant side effect of dementia, pulling sufferers deeper into themselves and further limiting their engagement with the world.

One of the main active compounds found in turmeric is called curcumin. This compound has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and antibacterial properties. In addition, in vitro studies have also shown that curcumin can reduce the accumulation of amyloid plaque and lower oxidative damage in the brain, making it a good candidate for treating patients with Alzheimer’s.

Turmeric has been shown to block the creation of beta-amyloid, the source of plaque in the brain that compounds dementia. Researchers believe it can be helpful as a dietary supplement and are developing new formulations that deliver curcumin to the brain.

Essential - take in supplement form.

Vitamins of the B complex, including B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid), and B12 (cobalamin), are essential in many body functions. They are crucial to controlling levels of an amino acid called homocysteine. This amino acid is usually high in elderly patients and is associated with strokes, coronary artery disease, and dementia.

Trials of vitamin B supplementation found improvements in some cognitive functions for patients with mild cognitive impairment, especially those with high homocysteine levels. In addition, combining vitamin B9 and B12 had a positive effect in patients with Alzheimer’s, especially those who had a diet low in folic acid. With this combination, patients experience better cognitive performance in immediate and delayed memory recall, categorical verbal fluency, processing speed, sustained attention, and working memory among elders.

A deficiency in this essential vitamin is one of the primary reversible causes of dementia. If you have premature dementia, there is a good chance that you are also suffering from a B12 deficiency. This can be easily fixed with supplements or by consuming foods like sardines, shrimp, tuna, beef, and yoghurt.

Vitamin B supplements are safe for most people when taken at recommended doses but may interact with some prescription drugs.

Another helpful supplement for patients with Alzheimer’s is vitamin C. This potent antioxidant is believed to help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain and protect nerve cells. Levels of vitamin C are often low in patients with Alzheimer’s, and given the role this vitamin plays in the brain, it’s been suggested that increasing dietary intake can help slow down cognitive decline.

Studies show that long-term vitamin C supplementation improves cognitive function and reduces the risk of developing dementia in healthy patients. In practical terms, supplementation with this vitamin is likely more beneficial if patients have a poor diet lacking in vitamins.

Aromatherapy has been linked to lower levels of stress hormones, anxiety, and depression, as well as boosted cognitive performance and memory.

Falling into a routine can be dangerous as one age. Explore new routes, experiences, conversations, and topics. By narrowing one’s life to a smaller scope of knowledge and communication, the brain stops maintaining those unused portions, so continually challenge and surprise yourself to keep your brain fresh.

Engaging in creative stimulation, such as learning a new skill, pursuing a new hobby, or seeking a new area of intellectual exploration, creates new neural pathways. This can help strengthen the network of cognition that breaks down in people with dementia.

Studies show a clear link between physical activity and cognitive function. Exercise reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s later in life and helps slow down symptoms of cognitive decline. In addition, people who stay physically active throughout their lives are less likely to experience brain shrinkage than those who do not.

Any type of exercise is helpful, but it should include some form of aerobic exercise to promote blood flow to the brain. Suitable exercise activities include walking, running, swimming, and aerobics classes.

Finding activities that work for you is essential. Choose something you enjoy, and you’ll be likelier to keep doing it. It might be helpful to start with a small amount of activity and gradually build up.

Try using a wearable gadget or a smartphone app to track your progress. Set yourself a target and try to reach it.

You might find workout videos helpful if you prefer to exercise at home.

If you’re experiencing mobility issues, you can still engage in chair-based exercises to stretch and increase fitness.

Exercise for at least 20 minutes daily, five days on two days off. This can be broken down into daily sessions, each lasting 10 minutes or more.

Meditation is linked to better circulation, reduced anxiety, improved memory, and overall metabolic health. It is good to relax and clear your mind for a while. Consider using hypnosis and subliminal audio programs.

Another way to delay the progression of symptoms is with a healthy and balanced diet. Patients can follow the MIND diet, which combines a traditional Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet (designed to lower high blood pressure). Studies show this diet can slow down brain ageing at the equivalent of 7.5 years. It also reduces the risk of developing or worsening conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood glucose, and other conditions that may aggravate symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

Recently, the keto diet has also been shown to help patients with Alzheimer’s. This diet seems to lower oxidative stress in the brain, regulate energy metabolism, control inflammation, and protect nerve cells.

Follow these simple tips for a healthy diet: