Investigating the effect of the Mediterranean diet on preventing cognitive decline
Investigating the effect of the Mediterranean diet on preventing cognitive decline
Vajihe Ghalenoei,1Faezeh Ahmadzadeh,2Mohammad Haddad,3,*
1. Student Research Committee, Islamic Azad University Of Birjand, South Khorasan, Iran 2. Student Research Committee, Islamic Azad University Of Birjand, South Khorasan, Iran 3. Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Birjand Branch, Islamic Azad University, South Khorasan, Iran
Introduction: Increasing life expectancy worldwide has led to an increase in the number of older people, which in turn has increased the prevalence of age-related diseases such as dementia. Over 60% of cases are affected by the most common form, Alzheimer's disease (AD). The prevalence of dementia increases with age, and by 2050, there will be 115.4 million people affected worldwide. As there are currently no effective pharmacological treatments to alleviate symptoms after the onset of the disease, it is essential to find techniques to delay or prevent the onset of dementia. Given the importance of modifiable risk variables, including lifestyle and cardiometabolic disorders, in dementia, diet is an interesting research topic. Neuroprotective diets, including the Mediterranean diet (MD), could improve prophylactic measures and change the way people with dementia who are at high risk are treated. Research has shown that the MD dietary pattern, as well as certain foods, can lower oxidative stress biomarkers and improve cognitive function. Based on recent literature reviews, this article aims to describe how MD can help prevent cognitive decline.
Methods: In the following article, we collected the required data by using key words using reliable databases such as Google Scholar, ProQuest, Science Direct, and PubMed. Our statistical population consists of all the studies that have been conducted until 2024. After reviewing the findings, we reviewed 15 articles.
Results: The researchers found adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MD) is associated with improved brain structure and function. This includes thicker cortical regions, a larger brain, slower hippocampal atrophy, better structural connections, and less amyloid deposition. Some foods associated with MD, as well as MD as a dietary pattern, have been shown to lower oxidative stress biomarkers and improve cognitive function. Long-term observational studies have linked consumption of unsaturated fats with better cognitive performance and lower risk of age-related cognitive decline. Micronutrients have also been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cognitive decline. These include vitamins C, E, B-12, folic acid, flavonoids, and carotene. As MD increases the uptake of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances, it is thought to have neuroprotective effects. A number of known vascular risk factors for dementia and stroke are also associated with a Mediterranean diet. According to mechanistic studies, the shortening of telomeres is prevented by the Mediterranean diet and is associated with a lower risk of a number of age-related diseases,including cognitive decline. Meta-analyses support the importance of the Mediterranean diet in regulating the MetS and its components, which may have a protective effect against cognitive diseases. The fruits and vegetables in the Mediterranean diet are rich in several vitamins, including folic acid, which is strongly correlated with cognitive function. A broad category of phytochemicals called polyphenols have been shown to have positive effects on neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, reduction of oxidative stress, cerebral blood flow, and neuroinflammation.
Conclusion: Based on the collected results, the massive global burden of dementia is expected to rise to previously unheard-of proportions in the ensuing decades as a result of population aging. Therefore, there is substantial evidence to support the premise that addressing modifiable risk factors, particularly in midlife, is a good strategy for mitigating the burden of dementia in the absence of disease-modifying medication. Of these risk factors, nutrition is most important since it is essential for a good aging process and has a multitude of benefits that are interrelated for many organ systems, metabolic processes, and health states, all of which can influence the risk of dementia. The most successful diets are those high in neuroprotective components, including B vitamins, antioxidants, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The diets that are most effective in providing neuroprotective advantages include the MedD, DASH, MIND, and MMKD diets. There are methodological issues, but the benefits of a Mediterranean-style diet for neuroprotection are consistently supported by the researches. Following this diet, beginning at a young age, can help preserve cognitive function and brain health.