Anonymous
Post 04/12/2023 08:44     Subject: Cognitive decline and trouble finding words in 50s
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:62 year old Female

sleep is key
hydration is key
low to no sugar is key
lower carb is better, eat unprocessed foods


I'm sure that hormones played a part in my case, but dementia is considered insulin resistance of the brain. I followed the Dale Bresden protocol for dementia, personally. My livelihood depends on my cognitive function. Reduce inflammation - trying the Whole 30 to find out what is inflammatory for you may work, but I eliminated corn and dairy - those don't work for me. I am low carb - I do not eat grains, beans, but I do eat a lot of vegetables. I used to be vegan to vegetarian, but I couldn't get everything I needed and be low-carb for that, so I am definitely eating meat, but try to keep many days fish, eggs, chicken, etc. I eat almost no processed foods, no sugar, and I intermittent fast. This brought my cognitive function to better than before - it made me realize I had some cognitive decline starting in my 40s, and only noticed it near 50. Bonus for me was that I lost most of that perimenopausal weight. This is now lifestyle for me.


FYI on the Bresden protocol:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7377549/#:~:text=The%20Bredesen%20protocol%20makes%20strong,evidence%20that%20guides%20the%20protocol.
But, as this paper notes, there is good evidence on certain diet (e.g., Mediterraneum diet and lots of leafy greens) being protective of health. Avoiding processed foods is always a good idea. If anyone ever saw Supersize Me, it was sort of amazing how a month of McDonalds made him observedly stupider in just one month. The bad fats are basically clogging your brain so that the good healthy fats can't get in there.
But I eat a pretty decent diet and still forget words all the time! I'm sure it would be worse if I was the McD diet.
Anonymous
Post 04/12/2023 08:18     Subject: Cognitive decline and trouble finding words in 50s
Anonymous wrote:62 year old Female

sleep is key
hydration is key
low to no sugar is key
lower carb is better, eat unprocessed foods


I'm sure that hormones played a part in my case, but dementia is considered insulin resistance of the brain. I followed the Dale Bresden protocol for dementia, personally. My livelihood depends on my cognitive function. Reduce inflammation - trying the Whole 30 to find out what is inflammatory for you may work, but I eliminated corn and dairy - those don't work for me. I am low carb - I do not eat grains, beans, but I do eat a lot of vegetables. I used to be vegan to vegetarian, but I couldn't get everything I needed and be low-carb for that, so I am definitely eating meat, but try to keep many days fish, eggs, chicken, etc. I eat almost no processed foods, no sugar, and I intermittent fast. This brought my cognitive function to better than before - it made me realize I had some cognitive decline starting in my 40s, and only noticed it near 50. Bonus for me was that I lost most of that perimenopausal weight. This is now lifestyle for me.
Anonymous
Post 04/11/2023 23:49     Subject: Cognitive decline and trouble finding words in 50s
Could also be from COVID.
Anonymous
Post 04/11/2023 23:39     Subject: Cognitive decline and trouble finding words in 50s
Anonymous wrote:54 and menopausal for almost 5 years.

I noticed this when I was taking Zoloft - from she 43-47. Could it also have been perimenopause? Maybe. Switched to Lexapro and not happening as much.

Also had weird thing where I’d say the wrong words-I’d say a soundalike word instead…something like, “cross the sweet. I mean street.” Or, “is this disturbed water? I mean - distilled?”



I’m 46 and I do this. I also blank on words I should know - fireplace, napkin. Stress, lack of sleep, and hunger all exacerbate it.
Anonymous
Post 04/11/2023 22:04     Subject: Cognitive decline and trouble finding words in 50s
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Could very well be menopause-related. Consider hormone therapy. Also consider getting a new doctor as this one doesn't sound great, and for menopause and hormones you want someone experienced and good.


+1 this


Same for me. Incredibly embarrassing sometimes.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2023 23:56     Subject: Re:Cognitive decline and trouble finding words in 50s
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/17/well/live/the-brain-fog-of-menopause.html

The Brain Fog of Menopause

‘Menopause-related cognitive impairment happens to women in their 40s and 50s, women in the prime of life who suddenly have the rug pulled out from under them,’ an expert says.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2023 20:00     Subject: Cognitive decline and trouble finding words in 50s
54 and menopausal for almost 5 years.

I noticed this when I was taking Zoloft - from she 43-47. Could it also have been perimenopause? Maybe. Switched to Lexapro and not happening as much.

Also had weird thing where I’d say the wrong words-I’d say a soundalike word instead…something like, “cross the sweet. I mean street.” Or, “is this disturbed water? I mean - distilled?”

Anonymous
Post 04/08/2023 19:57     Subject: Re:Cognitive decline and trouble finding words in 50s
This thread is reassuring. I need to sleep more and be more hydrated.

Thank you for this thread, because this opened my eyes to my own similar problem.

NP
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2023 19:29     Subject: Cognitive decline and trouble finding words in 50s
Quit alcohol. You will see a big difference.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2023 19:24     Subject: Cognitive decline and trouble finding words in 50s
I couldn’t remember anything during menopause. It all came back afterwards though.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2023 17:42     Subject: Cognitive decline and trouble finding words in 50s
62 year old Female

sleep is key
hydration is key
low to no sugar is key
lower carb is better, eat unprocessed foods