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Does Baking Soda Help Dementia?

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Dealing with dementia can be a frustrating and emotional experience. Memory impairment can seem like an impossible situation with no way out. This makes it perfectly natural for people to look for any kind of solution they can find.

Since we’re learning more about memory impairment every day, it stands to reason that there are all sorts of cures floating around the media, and one of the more common solutions being suggested is that baking soda can help with dementia. Is this true?

One of the primary ingredients in baking soda is something called bicarbonate. While bicarbonate helps a great deal with some medical issues like acidosis, there is no hard evidence that shows it helps prevent the development of dementia. 

One of the best ways to help a person struggling with memory impairment is to look into memory care communities near you. These communities make sure that their residents are surrounded by a well-trained team of caring individuals who can help with the complications that memory impairment can cause. 

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is the term used to describe most memory impairment conditions like Alzheimer’s. These conditions affect a person’s cognitive ability and interfere with their day-to-day life. While there is no known cure for dementia, there are many different treatment options available to ensure that a person struggling with memory impairment has the best quality of life possible. 

The signs and symptoms of dementia include:

  • Memory loss
  • Confusion
  • Balance problems
  • Loss of motor control
  • Sudden personality or mood shifts
  • Paranoia or hallucinations
  • Trouble communicating

There are 2 primary kinds of dementia: late-onset and early-onset. Late-onset dementia, when a person starts developing symptoms in their mid-60s or later, is the more common variant. It’s estimated that 10% of Americans over the age of 65 have some form of memory impairment.

Early-onset dementia is significantly rarer and is the term used when a person begins developing symptoms earlier than the age of 60. Symptoms typically develop in a person’s 40s or 50s, but in some rare and extreme cases, they can develop much earlier. 

Does Baking Soda Help Prevent Dementia?

Baking soda is made up of a molecule called sodium bicarbonate. In the human body, sodium bicarbonate helps with acidity, reduces inflammation, and improves the body’s pH balance. 

There have been several studies done over the years about whether or not baking soda can directly affect the brain, but there’s very little evidence that proves either side. One thing that baking soda does do, however, is help with acidosis.

Acidosis is when your blood becomes more acidic due to the body’s natural acid-base control systems becoming overwhelmed. When respiratory acidosis occurs, the part of your brain that regulates your breathing becomes overstimulated and makes you breathe faster and deeper. This can lead to a change in your blood flow and your brain activity in general.

Since baking soda helps treat acidosis, some people believe it can improve cognitive ability on its own. While it helps deal with a condition that can cause problems in your brain activity, it isn’t quite the be-all-end-all cure for all cognitive problems. 

A group of seniors smiling and exercising together.

What Can You Do to Treat Dementia?

A great way to reduce the effect of dementia on a person’s day-to-day life is to look into memory care communities. These are communities specifically set up to treat residents struggling with memory impairment, and the teams on-site are trained to help with the difficulties a resident may be dealing with.

These communities custom-tailor a plan depending on the resident’s needs and communicate with their healthcare provider to make sure that every person in the community gets access to what they need for the highest quality of life possible. With all sorts of services and experiences offered, residents have access to many resources to help improve their daily lives.

To see for yourself the benefits of memory care, schedule a tour with us here at Fox Trail Memory Care. While dementia can cause difficulties in day-to-day life, we are here to help care for your loved ones and support their ability to live comfortable, fulfilling lives. Contact us to learn more about how we can help.

Ryan Donahue

Written by Ryan Donahue, Regional Vice President

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