A doctor has shared what he describes as the ‘number one’ earliest warning sign of dementia, which involves your eyes. Taking to his YouTube channel, which boasts 13 million subscribers, Dr Eric Berg DC told viewers that they had probably never heard of the symptom before.
He even admitted that he had only “just recently found out about it”. Dr Berg is a healthy keto and intermittent fasting expert and is the creator of Dr Berg nutritionals.
Explaining how vision could be one of the first warning signs, he said: “Surprisingly, one of the earliest signs of dementia involves the retina. There is a high correlation between problems in the retina and problems in the brain. Problems with night vision or central vision, floaters, and light sensitivity issues are the earliest signs of dementia.”
He said some people develop amyloid-beta plaquing on the retina and may experience problems differentiating shades of grey and other colours. Research indicates that specific retinal issues, especially alterations in the retina’s blood vessels, might signal a higher risk for dementia.
This is because the condition of the retina can mirror the health of the brain’s small blood vessels, and any irregularities in the retina could point to comparable problems in the brain linked to dementia. However, it’s important to note that a single eye examination cannot diagnose dementia, and additional assessments are necessary. If you notice any changes in your vision, speak to a GP.
A statement on Alzheimer’s UK reads: “Research shows that people with vision loss are about 50% more likely to develop dementia than people without vision loss.” While some studies show a correlation between retinal changes and dementia risk, this doesn’t necessarily mean one causes the other; other factors could be involved.
Talking generally about the disease, Dr Berg went on to say: “Researchers have found high levels of microbes, typically found in the mouth, in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. When people die from dementia, it’s usually caused by an infection such as a UTI or lung infection.
“For some people, surgery can be too much on the body and lead to death. Some people with dementia have a slow, progressive degeneration of the brain to the point they’re bedridden and stop eating and drinking, which ultimately leads to death.”
Dr Berg says one of the best things you can do is to “focus on cleaning your brain”. Including reducing inflammation in the body to help lower your risk of dementia. Ways to reduce inflammation are eating anti-inflammatory foods, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. You can also try reducing your stress and avoiding smoking and alcohol.
“The glymphatic system cleans the brain, mainly at night, which is one of the primary purposes of sleep,” he added. “This system removes malformed proteins and plaquing and rejuvenates the brain. Anything that inhibits sleeping may increase your risk for Alzheimer’s, heart attacks, strokes, cancer, blood sugar issues, and type 2 diabetes.
“Sleep apnea can also be problematic. You need eight to nine hours of sleep. Alcohol significantly interferes with REM sleep and is very damaging to brain health.” To help lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the health expert says: “You must flood the brain with oxygen. Exercise is one of the best ways to do this.”
Exercise stimulates the growth of brain cells and the hormone BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), he said. Adequate sun exposure and high amounts of vitamin D can also help support healthy sleep.
Dr Berg also stressed that a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates can starve your neurons. “Brain cells love ketones,” he stated. “To get into ketosis, you must lower your carbohydrate intake. If you have any early signs of dementia, try taking ketones as a supplement or MCT oil. Niacin may also be helpful. Take 50 mg daily, slowly increasing to 500 mg per day.”
Always speak to your doctor first before taking any supplements to check they are suitable for you, especially if you have been diagnosed with a deficiency, take certain medication or have a medical condition. Some warning signs of dementia can include:
Memory loss, such as forgetting things, having trouble remembering words, difficulty concentrating and forgetting where you are or what time it is. Communication problems can also be a red flag, including difficulty following conversations, and trouble reading and writing.
Also, getting lost in familiar places, having trouble with directions, and misplacing things in unusual places. Mood changes can also play a part, like feeling anxious or agitated, having mood swings or depression, and withdrawing from social activities.
Other symptoms:
- Poor judgment
- Difficulty with planning and organizing
- Difficulty with visual and spatial abilities
- Difficulty with complex tasks
- Difficulty with balance and walking
- Incontinence
But it is important to bare in mind that different types of dementia can affect people differently. Everyone’s experience will be unique. If you have concerns about dementia risk, talk to your doctor about your eye health and any other potential factors. For more information, visit the NHS website.