on depression and senile dementia:
In 1968 Linus Pauling suggested orthomolecular therapy (treatment with vitamins, trace elements and other vital nutrients) for mental illnesses. This was, by the way, the birth of orthomolecular medicine.

Forgetfulness and dementia probably go hand in hand with a strong increase in free radicals. An appropriate therapy can bring about a significant improvement of mental abilities. It was found that the administration of vitamin C, A, B6, E, beta-carotene, selenium and zinc results in improved cerebral perfusion and increased cognitive ability in old age. Also being discussed in connection with senility and depression is too low intake of manganese and magnesium. Fish oil (salmon oil or omega-3 fatty acid) acts as an antidepressant.

The list of ailments that are caused by unintentional and unknown malnutrition is long. Since the brain, as stated above, has an incredibly high metabolic rate, psychological changes often occur before physical ailments appear. A good example is the psychological discomfort caused by vitamin B12 or folate deficiency:
forgetfulness, reduced performance, depression, concentration problems, restlessness or fatigue. Also the first signs of vitamin C deficiency are not scurvy but depression.

Most people do not get dementia. It is not an inevitable fate of aging. 20-24% of 80-90-year-old people suffer from dementia, but this also means that 76 to 80% do not suffer from it. Deficiencies may be the reasons for the occurrence of age-related dementia and senile depression. Here the B vitamins have to be mentioned. With a targeted prescription of vitamins, trace elements and other nutrients, dramatic improvements can be achieved in diseases that had previously been accepted as incurable side effects of aging.

But for one of the most important measures you do not need a doctor. Mostly older people have significantly decreased sensation of thirst and they take too little liquid. The result is a slow "drying out" of the cells. The brain reacts incredibly sensitively to such a lack of fluid. Therefore, you should always pay attention to proper hydration. One trick is to put out the daily need of fluids in a place where you are staying much. If you put a pitcher with clean water, for example, on your desk or on the kitchen table, you see it in front of your eyes and you always drink something. Incidentally, clear water is one of the most important detoxifying agents of nature.