The Intricate Link Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Weight Loss

Alzheimer’s disease may start in the brain, but it affects virtually every aspect of your life – including, potentially, your body weight. Research shows that up to 40% of people with dementia experience significant weight loss. Alzheimer’s disease is no exception. 

If your loved one has Alzheimer's disease, you can take steps to address and prevent undesirable weight loss. 

At his offices in New Rochelle, New York, fellowship-trained neurologist Dr. Farhad Elyaderani helps people with all forms of dementia lead richer and healthier lives. 

Let’s take a look at Alzheimer’s disease and weight loss, including why they’re linked and ways we can help.

How Alzheimer’s disease plays out

Of the many types of dementia, or brain disorders that impair your memory, Alzheimer's disease is the most common. Beyond your memory, it affects the parts of your brain that control language and thoughts. 

As a progressive disease, Alzheimer’s starts with mild symptoms that worsen over time. Common signs include:

• Changes in behavior, personality, and mood
• Difficulty managing finances
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks
• Frequently misplacing things
• Memory loss that interferes with daily life
• Repetitive behaviors, such as hand-wringing

While early-stage Alzheimer’s symptoms can be subtle, moderate and severe symptoms are difficult to miss. The latest stage can make having simple conversations challenging or impossible.

How Alzheimer’s disease causes weight loss

While weight loss linked with Alzheimer’s disease usually unfolds during the intermediate or severe stages, it sometimes shows up as an early dementia sign. 

Reasons the disease may fuel weight loss include:

• Burning more calories due to wandering around
• Being too distracted by delusional thinking to eat properly
• Difficulty chewing food or swallowing
• Forgetting to eat or how to eat
• Forgetting what food is (in advanced stages)

Especially if these symptoms lead to 5% of body weight loss within 6–12 months, addressing them is vital.

Prevent (or reverse) Alzheimer’s-related weight loss 

Eating too little and losing too much weight can cause many problems that interfere with daily life and Alzheimer’s disease management. The brain and body rely on sufficient fuel to function at its best. Given that, nutrient deficiencies can exacerbate dementia symptoms. Low body mass also makes falls, fractures, and dehydration more likely. 

To help ensure that your loved one with Alzheimer’s consumes enough food and nutrients, consider these steps:

• Dining with your loved one
• Offering foods they’ve loved since childhood
• Offering easy-to-eat finger foods
• Offering soft and liquid foods, such as mashed potatoes and smoothies
• Working with a dementia-specializing dietitian

Dr. Elyaderani can improve your loved one’s quality of life by prescribing appropriate medication, such as cholinesterase inhibitors, and recommending helpful activities, like dancing, listening to music, and exercising. 

To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and weight loss or get the care or support you need, call Dr. Farhad Elyaderani or request an appointment online today.