Are you at risk? Experts unveil everyday eating habit linked to early signs of dementia
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As people age, it's natural to become more attuned to the changes in their bodies and behaviours, especially as they navigate through their golden years. While some changes can be attributed to normal ageing, others may indicate more serious health conditions.
One such condition that has been the subject of much research is dementia, a term that encompasses a range of cognitive decline disorders, including Alzheimer's disease.
However, there's a lesser-known subtype of dementia that experts are now saying could be identified through a seemingly innocuous daily activity: our eating habits.
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a condition that affects approximately 5 per cent of all dementia patients, according to Dementia UK.
It primarily impacts the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are crucial for controlling personality, behaviour, language, and speech.
Unlike other forms of dementia, the early stages of FTD may not present with memory loss or impaired concentration.
Instead, one of the symptoms of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is 'obsessive or repetitive behaviour’, and this can manifest in the way individuals consume their meals.
So, what eating habits could be a warning sign of dementia?
According to a study, abnormal eating behaviours associated with FTD can range from hyperphagia (excessive eating) to fixations on a single type of food and even the ingestion of inanimate objects.
For example, the paper references a case of a woman, dubbed the 'banana lady’, who consumed nothing but bananas and milk for months. Following her death, an autopsy revealed that she had been suffering from FTD.
Other reported behaviours include eating non-food items and taking food from others' plates.
Marilena Aiello, a researcher involved in a systemic review of FTD, said: ‘These behaviours are problematic, of course, socially, but also with regard to patients’ health as they tend to gain weight.’
She also noted that while some individuals with the condition may gain weight due to overeating, others might lose weight because they eat a narrow range of foods obsessively.
The underlying causes of these food-related anomalies in FTD are complex and not entirely understood.
‘It may involve an alteration of the autonomic nervous system, characterised by an altered assessment of the body’s signals, such as hunger, satiety, and appetite,’ Ms Aiello suggested.
‘Damage to the hypothalamus can cause a loss of inhibitory signals, causing behaviours such as overeating,’ she added.
‘There are probably sensory and cognitive factors that can complicate the picture... In patients who eat objects, for example, there is perhaps a semantic problem of recognising the object and its function,’ the researcher elaborated.
It's important to note that while these eating habits can indicate FTD, they are not exclusive to the condition.
For instance, pica—the craving for non-food items—is sometimes observed during pregnancy, and individuals with autism may also exhibit hyperfixation of certain foods.
However, when these eating behaviours are observed alongside other symptoms of FTD, they may warrant further investigation.
According to the Healthdirect, other signs of FTD include:
If you or someone you know is exhibiting these symptoms, it's crucial to consult a GP as soon as possible. Early intervention can make a significant difference in managing the condition and maintaining quality of life.
While there is no cure for FTD, there are treatments that can help manage symptoms, including psychological therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and medication such as antidepressants or antipsychotics.
We understand that navigating health concerns can be challenging, and we're here to support our community through information and resources.
For support, you can also visit these websites: Dementia Australia and The Australian Frontotemporal Dementia Association (AFTDA).
You may also call the National Dementia Helpline at 1800 100 500.
Have you or a loved one experienced changes in eating habits or other symptoms that led to a dementia diagnosis? Share your experiences in the comments below.
One such condition that has been the subject of much research is dementia, a term that encompasses a range of cognitive decline disorders, including Alzheimer's disease.
However, there's a lesser-known subtype of dementia that experts are now saying could be identified through a seemingly innocuous daily activity: our eating habits.
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a condition that affects approximately 5 per cent of all dementia patients, according to Dementia UK.
It primarily impacts the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are crucial for controlling personality, behaviour, language, and speech.
Frontotemporal dementia affects the part of the brain that controls personality, behaviour, language, and speech. Images source: Pexels
Unlike other forms of dementia, the early stages of FTD may not present with memory loss or impaired concentration.
Instead, one of the symptoms of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is 'obsessive or repetitive behaviour’, and this can manifest in the way individuals consume their meals.
So, what eating habits could be a warning sign of dementia?
According to a study, abnormal eating behaviours associated with FTD can range from hyperphagia (excessive eating) to fixations on a single type of food and even the ingestion of inanimate objects.
For example, the paper references a case of a woman, dubbed the 'banana lady’, who consumed nothing but bananas and milk for months. Following her death, an autopsy revealed that she had been suffering from FTD.
Other reported behaviours include eating non-food items and taking food from others' plates.
Marilena Aiello, a researcher involved in a systemic review of FTD, said: ‘These behaviours are problematic, of course, socially, but also with regard to patients’ health as they tend to gain weight.’
She also noted that while some individuals with the condition may gain weight due to overeating, others might lose weight because they eat a narrow range of foods obsessively.
The underlying causes of these food-related anomalies in FTD are complex and not entirely understood.
‘It may involve an alteration of the autonomic nervous system, characterised by an altered assessment of the body’s signals, such as hunger, satiety, and appetite,’ Ms Aiello suggested.
‘Damage to the hypothalamus can cause a loss of inhibitory signals, causing behaviours such as overeating,’ she added.
‘There are probably sensory and cognitive factors that can complicate the picture... In patients who eat objects, for example, there is perhaps a semantic problem of recognising the object and its function,’ the researcher elaborated.
It's important to note that while these eating habits can indicate FTD, they are not exclusive to the condition.
For instance, pica—the craving for non-food items—is sometimes observed during pregnancy, and individuals with autism may also exhibit hyperfixation of certain foods.
However, when these eating behaviours are observed alongside other symptoms of FTD, they may warrant further investigation.
According to the Healthdirect, other signs of FTD include:
- Changes in personality and behaviour
- being rude
- acting impulsively
- losing inhibitions
- not being able to adapt to new situations
- loss of empathy
- being subdued
- losing interest in people or things
- developing repetitive behaviours
- changing eating habits, craving sweet foods
- neglecting personal hygiene
- Language difficulties
- using the wrong words
- forgetting vocabulary
- repeating some words or phrases
- forgetting the meaning of words
- speaking slowly
- losing the ability to speak altogether
- A decline in mental abilities
- need help deciding what to do
- lose the ability to plan
- develop poor judgement
- be easily distracted
- be unable to understand abstract ideas
- stop recognising familiar people or objects
- develop memory problems
If you or someone you know is exhibiting these symptoms, it's crucial to consult a GP as soon as possible. Early intervention can make a significant difference in managing the condition and maintaining quality of life.
While there is no cure for FTD, there are treatments that can help manage symptoms, including psychological therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and medication such as antidepressants or antipsychotics.
We understand that navigating health concerns can be challenging, and we're here to support our community through information and resources.
For support, you can also visit these websites: Dementia Australia and The Australian Frontotemporal Dementia Association (AFTDA).
You may also call the National Dementia Helpline at 1800 100 500.
Have you or a loved one experienced changes in eating habits or other symptoms that led to a dementia diagnosis? Share your experiences in the comments below.
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