Does good diet help prevent the development of dementia as people age?

Consumption of a healthful diet is a behavioural strategy that can help to prevent the development of dementia as people age, the publication stated. It also reports on the roles of vitamins and minerals in nutrition and brain function and focuses on how to implement person-centred conversations about the impact of diet and nutrition on overall wellness, including brain health.

The study discovered that the Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND diet) is linked with enhanced cognition. This dietary pattern emphasizes vegetables (especially green leafy ones), nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, and extra virgin olive oil, while restricting red meat, processed meats, butter, regular cheese, pastries and sweets, and fried foods. Those following this diet were found to have cognitive abilities equivalent to being 7.5 years younger as it helps promotes better cognitive function through its emphasis on foods that are rich in nutrients known to support brain health.

“Using a person-centred approach that ties conversations about nutrition to patient goals is an effective strategy for starting conversations about diet and health,” said Kathryn Porter Starr, PhD, RDN from Duke University School of Medicine and Durham VA Medical Center.

Ideally, individuals are able to obtain all necessary nutrients from the MIND diet. However, the risk for inadequate vitamin and mineral intake increases as people age, and some people may benefit from consumption of fortified foods and or dietary supplements to enhance their nutritional status.

"I would love for everybody to get all of their micronutrients from food. Unfortunately, for most older adults, it's really challenging to do that due to physiological changes that occur with ageing and certain disease states that affect absorption, so we often recommend a multivitamin." said Starr.

Reference: "Insights & Implications in Gerontology: The Vital Role of Nutrition in Brain Health,"; The Gerontological Society of America