Sudden diet change could be 'first symptom' of early-onset dementia - striking before classic signs of the condition, doctors warn
Bizarre changes in eating habits—such as a lifelong vegetarian suddenly craving meat—could be an easily missed sign of dementia, a top doctor warns.
Unusual food cravings may also point to the condition, particularly in early-onset cases, which affect those under 65.
In a TikTok viewed almost 30,000 times, University of Southampton dementia expert Dr Kellyn Lee said changes in dietary habits can come as a shock to loved ones.
'When we think about food, quite often we have known that person for a long time,' she said.
'We know what they eat, we know what they like and what they don't like. But when the brain isn't work as it used to... tastes change.'
The psychologist added: 'For example, somebody who has always loved fish and chips now does not like them.
'Somebody who has always enjoyed a roast beef lunch, absolutely no way will they eat it.
'The texture of food can feel different [so people might think] something that used to be okay in my mouth is no longer okay.'
Dr Lee's warning is backed by charities who also warn that changes in diet can be an early sign of a specific form of dementia that most commonly strikes younger people.
Dementia charity, The Alzheimer's Society, say a person suddenly craving sweet, fatty foods can be a potential sign of frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
This is a rare form of the disease that affects behaviour and personality, rather than memory.
FTD accounts for two per cent of cases of the condition in the UK.
However it's seen in around 12 per cent of early-onset dementia cases—defined as diagnosis before 65.
These food-related behaviours are far more common in FTD than in Alzheimer's, studies show, with many patients experiencing increased appetite, binge eating or loss of table manners.
Experts say such changes are among the most distinctive—yet often overlooked—early symptoms of the disease.
The Alzheimer's Society also said that more generally, dementia patients can undergo challenging changes to their dietary preferences that can be distressing for families to deal with.
For example, patients with dementia who have never eaten any meat or specifically pork for religious reasons might suddenly not consider this a problem.
Commenting on Dr Lee's video a number of users detailed how dementia had changed how and what their loved ones ate.
'My mum was a vegetarian for 35 years. Now, with FTD, and recently having to move to full time care, she eats everything and plenty of it,' one wrote.
Another said: 'My husband says food causes his tongue to tingle/burn. Very difficult to find things he will eat now.'
A third, who worked in dementia care, added: 'A resident came in, family said she is a strict vegetarian, resident didn't like vegetarian meals but started to choose meat meals. Family was not happy.'
As part of her video Dr Lee added that another food-related challenge that can arise with caring for people with dementia is that they often forget that have just eaten and request more food.
'You may have just had lunch and then give it half an hour and you might be sat in the lounge and the person says, "Ok, so are we having lunch now?", or, "When are we having lunch? We haven't had lunch yet."'
'Then you might say to the person, "We have had lunch, we've had lunch already." That can then escalate into either an argument or anxiety for the person because they can't recall having that.'
Instead, Dr Lee recommended using what is called a distraction task, essentially reassuring a person they would eat soon and using an activity, like turning on some music, to re-focus their attention elsewhere.
'So, it may be a case of that you say, "Ok, we can have lunch in a moment," and then you use a distraction task,' she said.
Around 944,000 in the UK are thought to be living with dementia, while the figure is thought to be around seven million in the US.
A recent analysis by the Alzheimer's Society estimated the overall annual cost of the dementia to the UK is £42billion a year, with families bearing the brunt.
An ageing population means these costs—which include lost earnings of unpaid carers—are set to soar to £90billion in the next 15 years.
While dementia can be caused by multiple health issues its most commonly triggered by Alzheimer's disease.
Memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties and language problems are common early symptoms of the condition, which worsen over time.
Alzheimer's Research UK analysis found 74,261 people died from dementia in 2022 compared with 69,178 a year earlier, making it the country's biggest killer.
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