Memory loss is not always the first sign of dementia. Doctors say to watch for these 8 eating changes
Over six million people in the U.S. live with dementia . By 2050, that number is expected to double . Yet, even so, the signs of cognitive decline can be difficult to spot. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia , Majid Fotuhi, an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, told Inc. It typically begins by attacking the brain’s memory center. As a result, short-term memory…
Dementia affects over six million people in the United States, with that number expected to double by 2050. Alzheimer’s disease, the leading cause of dementia, is characterized by the initial attack on the brain’s memory center, leading to short-term memory loss and disorientation. However, dementia is not solely defined by memory loss.
Doctors emphasize that changes in eating behavior can serve as early warning signs of dementia, particularly in the case of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Unlike Alzheimer’s, FTD does not attack the memory center first; instead, it targets the frontal and temporal lobes, which control judgment, social behavior, and impulse control. Early signs of FTD include sudden sweet cravings, overeating, and repetition of the same foods.
What exactly does this eating behavior signify? According to Dr. Majid Fotuhi, an expert in the field, it is not about what someone is eating but rather how they are eating. Significant shifts in patterns and relationships, such as craving dessert for the first time or overeating without feeling full, could indicate cognitive decline.
It is crucial to identify these changes as a departure from a person’s usual habits rather than as isolated events. Neurologist Dr. Adam S. Mednick concurs, adding that increased appetite and fast or messy eating can also be red flags. Other symptoms to watch for include unexplained weight loss, diminished sense of smell and taste, and forgetting to eat meals altogether.
Dr. Fotuhi places particular importance on alterations in table manners and social awareness regarding food, such as eating off others' plates, compulsive eating, losing track of when a meal is over, or a drastic change in food preferences accompanied by a lack of emotional response. While memory problems are more prevalent in Alzheimer’s, changes in eating behavior serve as a more prominent early indicator of FTD.
This is because the frontal lobe, affected in FTD, is responsible for regulating cravings, impulses, and social judgment, making these eating changes a potential early warning sign.
However, not all eating changes are cause for concern. Dr. Fotuhi warns against dismissing them as typical signs of aging or personality shifts. Rapid personality changes, including a diminished sense of empathy, social withdrawal, or a loss of the usual conversational filter, especially when coupled with changes in eating behavior, should prompt further investigation.
Families often attribute such shifts to getting "mellow" or "set in their ways," but it is essential to recognize and address the underlying cognitive issues.
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