Intermittent Calorie Restriction Enhances Cognitive Function and Memory in Older Adults, Pilot Study Shows
USA: An exploratory pilot study suggests that intermittent calorie restriction enhances executive function and memory in cognitively healthy older adults. The findings were published online in Cell Metabolism has revealed.
In an 8-week randomized clinical trial involving 40 overweight, cognitively healthy older adults with insulin resistance, researchers explored the impact of two different interventions on brain health. Participants were assigned to either a 5:2 intermittent fasting regimen—consisting of 2 days with a restricted intake of 480 calories per day (provided through meal replacement shakes) and five days of a healthy living diet based on portion control and calorie reduction guidelines—or a "healthy living" diet alone.
Both interventions improved executive function and memory, with intermittent fasting demonstrating superior results on specific cognitive measures, according to Dimitrios Kapogiannis, MD, from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The findings were presented in a poster at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference.
A diet may enhance brain health in older adults with metabolic impairments. Considering this, Dr. Kapogiannis and colleagues aimed to assess whether intermittent calorie restriction can reduce insulin resistance, enhance cognitive performance, improve brain metabolism and function, and normalize biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's in adults aged 55 to 70.
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