Dementia Dietary Therapy and Home Assessment Dual-Track Guide

Table of Contents

1. Integrated Cognitive Theory and Dietary Therapy Foundation
2. Seven-Day Cyclical Dietary Therapy Plan
3. Synergistic Food Combinations
4. Home Assessment Scale Usage Guide
5. Dietary Therapy and Assessment Dual-Track Integration
6. Implementation Timeline and Expected Effects
7. Shopping Lists and Budget Control
8. Frequently Asked Questions

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Integrated Cognitive Theory and Dietary Therapy Foundation

Overview of Integrated Cognitive Function Assessment Framework

The Integrated Cognitive Function Assessment Framework views the human cognitive system as a whole composed of multiple interrelated functional areas:

• Neurophysiological Foundation: Neurons, synapses, and brain structures
• Cognitive Executive Function: Responsible for logical analysis and problem-solving
• Emotional and Social Function: Processes emotional and social responses
• Memory and Contextual Understanding: Responsible for memory retrieval and associations
• Language Expression Function: Forms self-awareness through language
• Logical Association Network: Builds association networks between memories and experiences

Dementia affects multiple functional areas of the above system, not a single target.

Principles of Dietary Therapy

Traditional drug treatments typically target single points, while dietary therapy supports multiple functional areas simultaneously:

• Multi-nutrient Synergistic Action: Single foods contain multiple active components
• Gentle Long-term Regulation: Aligns with the rhythm of biological system self-repair
• Whole System Support: Simultaneously affects multiple cognitive functions
• Low Side Effect Risk: Collaborates with the body rather than opposing it

Research suggests that dietary therapy may be more economical and safer than drug treatment, providing comprehensive support for dementia patients.

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Seven-Day Cyclical Dietary Therapy Plan

This plan is designed based on the Integrated Cognitive Function Assessment Framework, providing support to different functional areas each day.

Day 1: Neurophysiological Foundation Enhancement Day

Breakfast:

• Turmeric brown rice stir-fry with 2 whole eggs
• 1 tablespoon flaxseed
• 1 cup blueberry green tea

Lunch:

• Salmon quinoa bowl
• Half plate purple cabbage salad with walnuts
• Turmeric yogurt dressing

Dinner:

• Olive oil-cooked sardines
• Garlic sautéed spinach
• Brown rice with flaxseed oil

Enhancement Point:

• 0.5 teaspoon turmeric powder + a pinch of black pepper + 1 tablespoon olive oil

Day 2: Cognitive Executive Function Enhancement Day

Breakfast:

• Whole wheat toast with egg + avocado
• Blueberries
• 1 cup green tea

Lunch:

• Chicken salad with nuts
• Lentil soup
• 1 tablespoon flaxseed oil

Dinner:

• Liver steamed with garlic
• Purple sweet potato puree
• Broccoli

Enhancement Point:

• Afternoon coffee with cocoa powder

Day 3: Emotional and Social Function Balance Day

Breakfast:

• Greek yogurt with banana and chia seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Grapefruit

Lunch:

• Salmon with spinach and quinoa
• Tomato roasted garlic soup
• Fermented kimchi

Dinner:

• Turkey breast with kale
• Sweet potato
• Turmeric-roasted tofu

Enhancement Point:

• Cocoa black bean drink

Day 4: Memory and Contextual Understanding Enhancement Day

Breakfast:

• Oatmeal with blueberries and walnuts
• 2 eggs
• Matcha tea

Lunch:

• DHA-rich fish oil stew
• Carrot and turmeric soup
• Whole wheat bread with soy paste

Dinner:

• Roasted lamb liver with garlic and rosemary
• Sautéed spinach with mushrooms
• Brown rice

Enhancement Point:

• 15-20 blueberries + 5 walnuts

Day 5: Language Expression Function Support Day

Breakfast:

• Egg yolk with whole grain toast
• Kiwi fruit
• Green tea

Lunch:

• Tuna salad with flaxseed oil and walnuts
• Tomato kale soup
• Blueberries

Dinner:

• Shrimp turmeric fried rice
• Roasted purple onions
• Chinese mustard greens

Enhancement Point:

• 2 cups green tea + 1 cup grape juice

Days 6-7: Integration Days (Complete Cognitive System Support)

Mix core ingredients from the first 5 days, ensuring daily intake of:

• At least 2 servings of Omega-3 rich fish or plant oils
• 5-7 colors of vegetables and fruits
• 2 servings of choline-rich foods
• 1 serving of turmeric + black pepper combination
• 1-2 cups of green tea or coffee
• Appropriate amount of high-quality protein
• Daily 15-20 blueberries or equivalent other dark berries

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Synergistic Food Combinations

Key Combination 1: Curcumin Enhancement Formula

• Components: Turmeric powder + black pepper + olive oil
• Ratio: 0.5 teaspoon + pinch + 1 tablespoon
• Effect: Increases curcumin absorption by 2000%
• Usage: Take before or during meals, once daily
• Support Systems: Neurophysiological foundation, cognitive executive function

Key Combination 2: Tea Polyphenol Enhancement Formula

• Components: Green tea + lemon juice + honey
• Ratio: 1 cup + 5 drops + small amount
• Effect: Increases tea polyphenol bioavailability by 80%
• Usage: Drink 30 minutes after meals, 2-3 cups daily
• Support Systems: Cognitive executive function, memory and contextual understanding

Key Combination 3: Cognitive Enhancement Formula

• Components: Blueberries + walnuts + dark chocolate
• Ratio: 20 berries + 5 nuts + 10g (70% or higher)
• Effect: Synergistic antioxidation and neuroprotection
• Usage: Morning snack or afternoon tea time
• Support Systems: Cognitive executive function, logical association network

Key Combination 4: Choline Enhancement Formula

• Components: Egg yolks + olive oil + garlic
• Ratio: 2 yolks + 2 tablespoons + 2 cloves
• Effect: Supports choline synthesis and neuroprotection
• Usage: 2-3 times per week as main dish
• Support Systems: Memory and contextual understanding, language expression function

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Home Assessment Scale Usage Guide

Scale Function and Significance

The Integrated Cognitive Function Assessment Scale helps identify the patient's primarily impaired functional areas, providing targeted adjustment basis for dietary therapy plans.

Assessment Frequency and Timing

• Initial Assessment: Conduct before starting dietary therapy
• Follow-up Assessment: Assess every 2 weeks after starting
• Stable Period Assessment: Assess monthly after effects stabilize
• Optimal Time: 10-11 AM when patient's mental state is better

Assessment Operation Guide

1. Preparation Phase:

   • Choose quiet, familiar environment
   • Time when patient has eaten breakfast but is not too fatigued
   • Prepare scale and pen
   • Reserve 20 minutes of uninterrupted time

2. Assessment Method:

   • Observe patient's daily expressions item by item
   • Avoid leading questions or excessive interpretation
   • Base on overall performance of 1-2 weeks, not single-day performance
   • Assessment by primary caregiver is most accurate

3. Recording Points:

   • Directly check applicable situation items on the scale
   • Record assessment date and special circumstances
   • Continue using the same scale for convenient comparison of changes
   • Can add brief supplementary explanations

Scoring and Interpretation

• Calculate scores for each section, find the 2-3 sections with highest scores
• Higher scores indicate greater degree of impairment in that functional area
• Pay attention to score change trends over time
• Decreasing scores indicate situation improvement

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Dietary Therapy and Assessment Dual-Track Integration

Adjusting Dietary Therapy Plans Based on Assessment Results

High-Score Scale Area	Dietary Therapy Enhancement Direction	Increase Foods	Reduce Foods
Area A: Language & Self-Expression	Enhance language expression function days	Increase dark berries, green tea, grapes	Reduce processed foods, refined sugar
Area B: Thinking & Problem-Solving	Enhance cognitive executive function days	Increase eggs, liver, whole grains	Reduce refined carbohydrates
Area C: Memory Retrieval	Enhance memory & contextual understanding days	Increase fish, egg yolks, turmeric	Reduce saturated fats
Area D: Emotional Response	Enhance emotional & social function days	Increase tryptophan-rich foods, magnesium	Reduce caffeine, alcohol
Area E: Motor Coordination	Enhance neurophysiological foundation days	Increase Omega-3, antioxidants	Reduce fried foods, trans fats
Area F: Temporal Continuity	Enhance integration days	Overall balance, increase mindful eating	Reduce rushed eating
Area G: System Interaction	Enhance synergistic combinations	Increase turmeric-black pepper combinations	Avoid single food excess
Area H: Logical Association	Enhance integration days + synergistic combinations	Balanced diversified intake	Reduce monotonous diet

Dual-Track Workflow

1. Stage 1: Basic Assessment and Dietary Therapy Introduction (1-4 weeks)

   • Week 1: Complete initial assessment, identify primary functional impairment areas
   • Week 2: Introduce dietary therapy days targeting primary functional impairments
   • Weeks 3-4: Gradually introduce complete 7-day dietary therapy cycle

2. Stage 2: Monitoring and Fine-tuning (5-12 weeks)

   • Conduct assessment every 2 weeks
   • Adjust food ratios and focus days based on assessment results
   • Observe and record obvious behavioral or emotional changes

3. Stage 3: Stabilization and Maintenance (13 weeks onwards)

   • Assess monthly
   • Maintain dietary therapy cycle, adjust ingredients seasonally
   • Focus on strengthening dietary therapy days with obvious effects

Progress Record Table

Create simple journal records:

• Weekly assessment scores
• Actual consumption situation (compliance rate)
• Observed changes
• Adjustment records

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Implementation Timeline and Expected Effects

Phased Goals and Expected Timeline

Stage	Time	Expected Effects	Assessment Frequency
Adaptation Period	1-4 weeks	Dietary habit adjustment, possible mild detox reactions	Every 2 weeks
Initial Effects Period	5-12 weeks	Improved emotional stability, enhanced energy	Every 2 weeks
Cognitive Stability Period	3-6 months	Slowed cognitive decline speed, more flexible responses	Monthly
Potential Improvement Period	6-12 months	Some cognitive functions may improve	Monthly
Long-term Maintenance Period	1+ years	Maintain cognitive function, reduce decline speed	Quarterly

How to Observe Effects

Improvement expressions in different functional areas:

1. Neurophysiological Foundation:

   • More stable gait
   • Improved fine hand movements
   • Better sleep quality

2. Cognitive Executive Function:

   • Improved ability to solve simple problems
   • Enhanced adaptability to new situations
   • Reduced reminders needed to complete tasks

3. Emotional and Social Function:

   • Reduced emotional fluctuations
   • Increased appropriate emotional expression
   • Reduced anxiety or irritability

4. Memory and Contextual Understanding:

   • Ability to recall fragments of recent events
   • Better response to environmental cues
   • Improved ability to recognize object functions

5. Language Expression Function:

   • Improved ability to express needs
   • Increased accuracy in pronoun usage
   • Showing interest in personal stories

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Shopping Lists and Budget Control

Core Ingredient List

Weekly Essential Purchase Items:

• Blueberries or other dark berries (150g)
• Eggs (12-18 pieces)
• Green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, etc., 500g)
• Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, etc., 400g)
• Nuts (walnuts, almonds, etc., 100g)
• Flaxseed/flaxseed oil (50g)
• Fresh turmeric root or turmeric powder (30g)
• Olive oil (250ml)

Monthly Essential Purchase Items:

• Quinoa or brown rice (1kg)
• Whole wheat bread (appropriate amount)
• Black pepper (50g)
• Green tea or matcha (30 bags)
• 70%+ dark chocolate (100g)
• High-quality protein sources (chicken, tofu, etc.)

Budget Control Strategies

Total monthly budget: $200-300 USD (excluding basic foods)

Cost Control Suggestions:

1. Seasonal Purchasing:

   • Choose seasonal fruits and vegetables
   • Frozen blueberries more economical than fresh
   • Increase leafy vegetables in summer, root vegetables in winter

2. Bulk Purchasing:

   • Buy nuts and spices in bulk and freeze for storage
   • Choose oils in large capacity packages
   • Select meat in family packs and freeze in small portions

3. Substitute Options:

   • Blueberries → blackberries, black currants, purple grapes
   • Salmon → mackerel, sardines, cod liver
   • Quinoa → brown rice, buckwheat, oats

4. Homemade Enhancement:

   • Homemade turmeric paste (turmeric powder + black pepper + olive oil)
   • Homemade mixed nut packs (weekly portioning)
   • Homemade vegetable/fruit juices to replace some fruits

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Frequently Asked Questions

About Dietary Therapy

Q1: What if the patient dislikes/refuses certain key ingredients? A: Look for similar category substitutes. For example, if they dislike fish, use flaxseed oil and seaweed instead; if they dislike blueberries, use black currants or black grapes instead. The key is maintaining nutrient types, not specific foods.

Q2: How to adjust for patients with chronic diseases (like diabetes)? A: Diabetic patients should reduce fruit amounts and high glycemic index foods, relying more on vegetables and proteins; hypertensive patients need to reduce sodium and increase potassium intake. Recommend consulting a nutritionist for personalized adjustments.

Q3: When can effects be seen? A: Emotional changes usually may appear in 3-4 weeks; cognitive function stability usually requires 3-6 months; obvious improvements may require 6-12 months or longer. Consistency is key.

About Assessment

Q4: Is it normal for assessment results to fluctuate greatly? A: Yes, dementia patients' conditions commonly have fluctuations. Focus on the average and trend of 2-3 assessments, not single results. Time, fatigue, infections, etc., can all cause temporary fluctuations.

Q5: What if after a period of dietary therapy, certain area scores increase (worsen)? A: Several situations are possible: (1) temporary fluctuation; (2) natural disease progression; (3) need to adjust dietary therapy plan. Recommend continuous assessment 3 times to confirm trend, and correspondingly strengthen dietary therapy support for that area.

Q6: How to judge if dietary therapy is effective? A: Besides scale scores, also observe: (1) degree of daily function maintenance; (2) whether caregiver burden is reduced; (3) patient quality of life; (4) frequency of behavioral problems. Comprehensive evaluation is more accurate than single indicators.

About Implementation

Q7: Can it be conducted simultaneously with drug treatment? A: Yes, dietary therapy can serve as a complement to drug treatment. But inform the doctor, as certain foods may affect drug absorption. Turmeric with anticoagulant drugs requires special attention to possible interactions.

Q8: What if the caregiver cannot prepare such diversified foods daily? A: Simplification strategies: (1) batch cook and portion on weekends; (2) focus on key combinations, not complete menus; (3) use meal preparation services; (4) invite family and friends to support in rotation; (5) use time-saving tools like slow cookers.

Q9: What if the patient has poor appetite/eating difficulties? A: (1) Provide small frequent meals; (2) increase food aroma and color; (3) try puree or smoothie forms; (4) use blueberries as desserts; (5) play pleasant music during meals; (6) eat together with the patient.

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Note: This guide is for reference only and does not replace professional medical advice. Please adjust according to individual circumstances and consult doctors or nutritionists when necessary.

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Version: 1.0
Last Updated: May 21, 2025