Mental acuity in old age
2002-01-02 11:09
New York - Elderly individuals who consume a healthy diet may be less likely to suffer symptoms of dementia as they age, study findings suggest.
However, further research should clarify more specific aspects of a healthy diet before any recommendations regarding diet and cognition are made, researches report in the December issue of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Nonetheless, the findings have implications for millions of people in the developing world who are living longer than ever, as they point to a modifiable risk factor for impaired mental functioning, according to Dr ML Correa Leite from the National Research Council in Milan, Italy, and colleagues.
Their study included more than 1 600 individuals aged 70 and older, who filled out a food questionnaire and took a test to measure mental function. Researchers then calculated nutrient intake and ranked individuals as having normal mental function or mild, moderate or severe deficits.
A diet that contained a healthy balance of nutrients, including low levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, was associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline, the study found. Moderate drinking was also significantly associated with better mental capacity.
"This finding can be partially explained by the positive correlation between moderate drinking habits and generally good health, but there is also ... evidence indicating that light-to-moderate alcohol intake is associated with a decreased risk of ischemic stroke and may benefit cognitive capacities," the researchers explain.
Overall, nearly one third of men and almost half of the women in the study had some type of mental deficit.
Fruit and vegetable intake for nearly everyone was adequate but women consumed healthier amounts of protein and cholesterol.
It is not clear how a healthy diet preserves mental functioning but the study authors suggest that antioxidants such as vitamins C and E may play a role. Antioxidants - compounds that mop up damaging free radical particles in the body - have been shown to protect against heart disease, some types of cancer and several other chronic disorders. These compounds may also protect against Alzheimer's-related damage.
Studies have also shown that omega-3 fatty acids found in certain types of fish may also protect against cognitive deterioration.