1Families may spend over $5,000 each year caring for a loved one, and it costs the U.S. $216 billion a year for Alzheimer's and other types of dementia.

However, feeding your brain the right food isn't just about preventing a disease in the future. Giving your brain the fuel it needs to function optimally may also improve your current cognitive function and creativity, making you more productive at work and at home.

Your brain needs the right fuel to nourish neurons, boost production of neurotransmitters and protect against damage and degeneration.

Unfortunately, some popular nutritional fads may have placed you at greater risk for damage to your neurons, without the additional heart health benefits and proponents of these dietary changes promised.

You may make a significant difference in your overall health and reduce your risk of dementia or Alzheimer's disease when you purposefully include the foods your brain needs to function and detoxify.