Pastor Victoria Onu, Chief Executive Officer, Grace Nursing Care Centre, says that nuts are good for the prevention of dementia.
Onu, who doubles as Secretary General, Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in commemoration of the World Food Day, in Abuja, on Saturday.
She explained that nuts, such as peanuts, cashew nuts, walnuts, tiger nuts, and others, were loaded with healthy vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy brain.
“Nuts generally are loaded with lots of healthy vitamins and minerals that are needed to improve brain health and ward off signs of dementia.
“Once you clock 45, start consuming these nuts for your own brain health benefit,” she counselled.
The carer, who cited destruction of memory as one of the greatest dangers of dementia, said that leafy vegetables were also helpful in preventing dementia, advising people approaching old age to consume leafy greens or vegetables as they were essential in diet and nutrition.
According to her, they contain vitamin B, folate, Vitamin B9 and lots more that help the brain to fight against age-related problems.
Onu added, “Leafy vegetables include cabbage, spinach, water leaf, collard greens and others.”
She also emphasised the imperatives of fatty fish in the nutritional struggle to overcome dementia as they contained a vital nutrient known as omega three.
“This omega three nutrient is very effective in fighting and preventing dementia and other brain conditions as a person grows older.
“Fishes that contain omega three fatty acid include sardines, tuna, salmon, mackerel and also catfish,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that World Food Day is celebrated annually, on October 16, to promote global awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger, and to highlight the need to ensure healthy diets for all.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization designated October 16 as World Food Day in 1979.
(NAN).
