This Eating Habit Is One of the Earliest Signs of Alzheimer's, According to a Neurologist
Woman eating a bowl of food.
When it comes to symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease, the big one that most people are aware of is experiencing memory problems that interfere with daily living. While it’s true that this is certainly a hallmark symptom of Alzheimer’s, it’s not the only one to be aware of.
One of the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s has more to do with one’s eating habits than it does being forgetful. Here, a neurologist explains what it is and other ways that Alzheimer’s disease can impact one’s diet.
The Eating Habit That’s An Early Sign of Alzheimer’s Disease
According to Dr. Elana Clar, MD, a neurologist at New Jersey Brain & Spine, one early sign of Alzheimer’s disease that many people aren’t aware of is a change in dietary preferences. “A vegetarian may start eating steak simply because they forgot they had a certain dietary habit, or may start incorporating more salt and spice because their taste buds are diminished,” she says, giving a couple of examples of what this can look like.
Dr. Clar says that this symptom can emerge at any point in one’s experience with Alzheimer’s; for some people, it may be one of the earliest signs while for others it may not manifest until later, if at all.
Related: 15 Tips to Lower Your Risk of Getting Alzheimer's Disease
There are a couple of reasons why someone with Alzheimer’s may experience a change in dietary preferences. Dr. Clar says that it could stem from either a diminished or heightened tate experience. Scientific research shows that many individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s have trouble detecting umami, one of the basic five tastes that is associated with savory foods. Other research shows that many people with dementia have a decline in smell and taste in general, which can cause them to favor foods that have an especially strong flavor.
Dr. Clar says that another reason why someone with Alzheimer’s may experience a change in eating habit is because they become forgetful of certain dietary restrictions or lifelong habits they traditionally had. For example, someone who is lactose intolerant may forget the effect eating dairy has on them. Or they may simply forget they don’t like the taste of certain foods.
Related: The #1 Unexpected Benefit of Music Therapy for Dementia Patients, According to a Geriatrician
Other Ways Alzheimer’s Disease Can Impact How One Eats—and What To Do About It
There are other ways that Alzheimer’s disease can impact mealtime. Dr. Clar says that someone with Alzheimer’s may have difficulty with coordination, which can make cutting food difficult. Or, they may forget how to use eating utensils. Some people with Alzheimer’s, she says, forget to eat.
These symptoms can have serious health implications, so Dr. Clar says that it’s important for someone with Alzheimer’s—and their loved ones—to recognize the need for help. “While it is important to help [someone with Alzheimer’s] hold onto their independence and autonomy as long as possible, they must set some of that aside when basic activities of daily living start to become a challenge. Patients should not be shy in asking family or friends, and may want to consider a formally hired home health aide,” she says.
If you are a loved one to someone with Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. Clar recommends creating a system that optimizes your loved one’s quality of life, including that mealtime remains enjoyable for them. “Share the caregiving responsibilities or seek out resources that can assist with that,” she says.
It can be helpful to join Facebook groups or message boards (such as through the Alzheimer’s Association) to share tips and to give and receive emotional support with other people who have a loved one with Alzheimer’s. In-person support groups can also be helpful and you can find one near you on the Alzheimer’s Association’s website.
Eating isn’t just necessary to ensure the body gets the nutrients it needs, it’s also part of what makes life enjoyable. If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s and they are experiencing a change in dietary preferences, it’s important to continue to find foods that are both healthy and that they like to eat. After all, cooking for someone and eating together is one of the simplest ways to show your love.
Next up, learn about the connection between hearing loss and Alzheimer's.
Sources
Dr. Elana Clar, MD, neurologist at New Jersey Brain & Spine
What Are the Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease? National Institute on Aging.
Detection and recognition thresholds for five basic tastes in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease dementia. BMC Neurology. 2020.
The Potential Role of Gustatory Function as an Early Diagnostic Marker for the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease in Subjective Cognitive Decline. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports. 2023.
