The association between adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and cognitive ageing.

BACKGROUND: The EAT-Lancet commission has proposed a dietary pattern that is both sustainable and healthy. However, the impact of this diet on cognition in older adults remains unexplored. Therefore, we examined the association between adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and cognitive ageing. METHODS: We used data from a previous intervention study involving cognitively healthy community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years. Adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet was calculated using a recently published index and a 190-item food frequency questionnaire. Global and domain-specific cognitive functioning were assessed at baseline and after 2 years using a neuropsychological test battery. Multivariate-adjusted linear regression was conducted to examine associations between EAT-Lancet diet adherence and cognitive functioning (n = 630) and 2-year change (n = 302). RESULTS: Greater adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet was associated with better global cognitive functioning (ß per SD = 3.7 points [95% CI]: 0.04 [0.00, 0.08]) and slower rate of decline (ß per SD [95% CI]: 0.05 [0.02, 0.08]). With respect to domain-specific functioning, beneficial associations were observed cross-sectionally for executive functioning (P < 0.01), and longitudinally for change in executive functioning (P < 0.01) and attention and working memory (P < 0.01). The degree of adherence to the EAT-Lancet was not associated with (changes in) information processing speed or episodic memory. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that greater adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet is associated with better global cognitive functioning and slower cognitive decline among cognitively healthy older adults. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and assess the potential benefits of the EAT-Lancet diet for the ageing population in a broader context.

Concurrent nutrient deficiencies are associated with dementia incidence.

INTRODUCTION: While observational research suggests a protective role for nutrition in brain aging, intervention studies remain inconclusive. This failing translation from observational to interventional research may result from overlooking nutrient interactions. METHODS: We developed a nutrient status index capturing the number of suboptimal statuses of omega-3 fatty acids, homocysteine, and vitamin D (range 0 to 3). We associated this index with dementia incidence in a subsample (age ≥ 50 years) of the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort. RESULTS: Among 968 participants, 79 developed dementia over 15.5 years (median follow-up). Each point increase in nutrient status index was associated with a 50% higher risk of dementia (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16, 1.96). Participants with three high-risk statuses had a four-fold increased risk of dementia compared to participants without high-risk status (HR = 4.68; 95% CI = 1.69, 12.94). DISCUSSION: Concurrent nutrient deficiencies are associated with the risk of dementia. The potential of optimizing nutritional status to lower dementia risk warrants further study. HIGHLIGHTS: Nutrition and dementia research calls for multiple-nutrient approaches. We studied combined suboptimal statuses of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, homocysteine, and vitamin D. Suboptimal status of the three nutrients was associated with dementia risk. The risk estimate was larger than for other factors (ie, diabetes, apolipoprotein E Îµ4 carrier). Future studies should assess the effect of improving nutrient status on dementia risk.

PLIS: A metabolomic response monitor to a lifestyle intervention study in older adults.

The response to lifestyle intervention studies is often heterogeneous, especially in older adults. Subtle responses that may represent a health gain for individuals are not always detected by classical health variables, stressing the need for novel biomarkers that detect intermediate changes in metabolic, inflammatory, and immunity-related health. Here, our aim was to develop and validate a molecular multivariate biomarker maximally sensitive to the individual effect of a lifestyle intervention; the Personalized Lifestyle Intervention Status (PLIS). We used 1 H-NMR fasting blood metabolite measurements from before and after the 13-week combined physical and nutritional Growing Old TOgether (GOTO) lifestyle intervention study in combination with a fivefold cross-validation and a bootstrapping method to train a separate PLIS score for men and women. The PLIS scores consisted of 14 and four metabolites for females and males, respectively. Performance of the PLIS score in tracking health gain was illustrated by association of the sex-specific PLIS scores with several classical metabolic health markers, such as BMI, trunk fat%, fasting HDL cholesterol, and fasting insulin, the primary outcome of the GOTO study. We also showed that the baseline PLIS score indicated which participants respond positively to the intervention. Finally, we explored PLIS in an independent physical activity lifestyle intervention study, showing similar, albeit remarkably weaker, associations of PLIS with classical metabolic health markers. To conclude, we found that the sex-specific PLIS score was able to track the individual short-term metabolic health gain of the GOTO lifestyle intervention study. The methodology used to train the PLIS score potentially provides a useful instrument to track personal responses and predict the participant's health benefit in lifestyle interventions similar to the GOTO study.

The association between adherence to a plant-based diet and cognitive ageing.

PURPOSE: While the benefits of adopting a more plant-based diet for sustainability and animal welfare are clear, its long-term health impacts, including the impact on cognitive ageing, are limited studied. Therefore, we investigated the associations between plant-based diet adherence and cognitive ageing. METHODS: Data from a previous intervention study involving community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 65 years were analysed at baseline (n = 658) and after 2-year follow-up (n = 314). Global and domain-specific cognitive functioning were assessed at both timepoints. Overall, healthful and unhealthful plant-based dietary indices were calculated from a 190-item food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate-adjusted linear regression models were applied to test for associations. RESULTS: After full-adjustment, higher overall adherence to a plant-based diet was not associated with global cognitive function (difference in Z-score, tertile 1 versus 3 [95% CI]: 0.04 [- 0.05, 0.13] p = 0.40) or cognitive change (- 0.04 [- 0.11, 0.04], p = 0.35). Similarly, healthful and unhealthful plant-based diet indices were not associated with cognitive functioning (respectively p = 0.48; p = 0.87) or change (respectively p = 0.21, p = 0.33). Interestingly, we observed fish consumption to influence the association between plant-based diet adherence and cognitive functioning (p-interaction = 0.01), with only individuals with a fish consumption of ≥ 0.93 portion/week benefitting from better overall plant-based diet adherence (ß per 10-point increment [95% CI]: 0.12 [0.03, 0.21] p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: We did not demonstrate associations of a more plant-based diet with cognitive ageing. However, possibly such association exists in a subpopulation with higher fish intake. This would be in line with earlier observations that diets rich in plant foods and fish, such as the Mediterranean diet, may be beneficial for cognitive ageing. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00696514) on June 12, 2008.

Dietary supplements for aggressive behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities: A randomised controlled crossover trial.

BACKGROUND: Aggressive incidents are common in people with intellectual disabilities. Therefore, we aimed to assess whether supplementation of multivitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids (FA) reduces aggressive incidents. METHODS: We conducted a randomised, triple blind, placebo controlled, single crossover intervention trial. People with intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning, between 12 and 40 years of age, and showing aggressive behaviour were included. Participants received either a daily dose of dietary supplements, or placebo. Primary outcome was the number of aggressive incidents, measured using the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS). RESULTS: there were 113 participants (placebo, n = 56), of whom 24 (placebo, n = 10) participated in the crossover phase of the trial. All 137 trajectories were included in the analyses. There was no significant difference in mean number of aggressive incidents per day between those assigned to supplements and those who received placebo (rate ratio = 0.93: 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.59-1.45). CONCLUSION: In this pragmatic trial, we did not find significant differences in the outcomes between the supplement and placebo arms. The COVID-19 pandemic started midway through our trial, this may have affected the results.

DHA status influences effects of B-vitamin supplementation on cognitive ageing: a post-hoc analysis of the B-proof trial.

PURPOSE: Trials aiming to lower homocysteine by B-vitamin supplementation have reported mixed results on slowing cognitive decline. We investigated if efficacy of B-vitamin supplementation is affected by baseline plasma omega-3 fatty acid levels. METHODS: This post-hoc analysis of the B-proof trial included 191 adults aged 65 years or older with baseline plasma total homocysteine ≥ 12 µmol/L, randomly assigned to 400 µg folic acid and 500 µg vitamin B12 or placebo daily for 2 years. Global and domain-specific cognitive functioning were assessed at baseline and after 2 years. The effect of B-vitamin supplementation was analyzed according to tertiles of baseline plasma omega-3 fatty acids concentrations combined, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) individually using multiple linear regression analyses. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age of the participants was 71.6 ± 5.9 years and median [IQR] Mini-Mental State Examination was 29 [28-30]. The treatment effect of B-vitamins on global cognition was larger in participants in the high compared to the middle DHA tertile (difference in z-score, mean ± SE 0.22 ± 0.10, p = 0.03). There was no significant interaction between B-vitamin supplementation and combined omega-3 fatty acid (p = 0.49) and EPA (p = 0.99) tertiles. Similarly, the efficacy of B-vitamin treatment on domain-specific cognitive functioning did not link to omega-3 fatty acid, DHA, or EPA plasma levels. CONCLUSION: This post-hoc analysis indicated that efficacy of B-vitamin supplementation in slowing cognitive decline relates to DHA status, with individuals with higher plasma DHA levels benefitting more from vitamin B12 and folic acid use. The results support earlier observations that positive effects of B-vitamins in cognitive ageing may be subgroup-specific. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00696514) on June 12, 2008.

Personalized nutrition for dementia prevention.

The role of nutrition has been investigated for decades under the assumption of one-size-fits-all. Yet there is heterogeneity in metabolic and neurobiological responses to diet. Thus a more personalized approach may better fit biological reality and have increased efficacy to prevent dementia. Personalized nutrition builds on the food exposome, defined as the history of diet-related exposures over the lifetime, and on its interactions with the genome and other biological characteristics (eg, metabolism, the microbiome) to shape health. We review current advances of personalized nutrition in dementia research. We discuss key questions, success milestones, and future roadmap from observational epidemiology to clinical studies through basic science. A personalized nutrition approach based on the best prescription for the most appropriate target population in the most relevant time-window has the potential to strengthen dementia-prevention efforts.

A data-driven methodology reveals novel myofiber clusters in older human muscles.

Skeletal muscles control posture, mobility and strength, and influence whole-body metabolism. Muscles are built of different types of myofibers, each having specific metabolic, molecular, and contractile properties. Fiber classification is, therefore, regarded the key for understanding muscle biology, (patho-) physiology. The expression of three myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms, MyHC-1, MyHC-2A, and MyHC-2X, marks myofibers in humans. Typically, myofiber classification is performed by an eye-based histological analysis. This classical approach is insufficient to capture complex fiber classes, expressing more than one MyHC-isoform. We, therefore, developed a methodological procedure for high-throughput characterization of myofibers on the basis of multiple isoforms. The mean fluorescence intensity of the three most abundant MyHC isoforms was measured per myofiber in muscle biopsies of 56 healthy elderly adults, and myofiber classes were identified using computational biology tools. Unsupervised clustering revealed the existence of six distinct myofiber clusters. A comparison with the visual assessment of myofibers using the same images showed that some of these myofiber clusters could not be detected or were frequently misclassified. The presence of these six clusters was reinforced by RNA expressions levels of sarcomeric genes. In addition, one of the clusters, expressing all three MyHC isoforms, correlated with histological measures of muscle health. To conclude, this methodological procedure enables deep characterization of the complex muscle heterogeneity. This study opens opportunities to further investigate myofiber composition in comparative studies.

Fingerfoods: a feasibility study to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption in Dutch patients with dementia in a nursing home.

BACKGROUND: Eating problems are highly prevalent in older patients with dementia and as a consequence, these patients are at greater risk of becoming malnourished. Fingerfoods, snacks that can be picked with thumb and forefinger, could be used to counteract malnutrition in patients with dementia. The aim of this feasibility study was to evaluate whether providing fruit and vegetable rich fingerfoods in the form of recognizable and familiar snacks on top of the normal intake was feasible for both patients with dementia and caregivers as a means to increase patients' nutritional status. METHODS: Institutionalised patients with dementia (N = 15, 93% female, mean age = 85 years) were included in this feasibility study in the Netherlands. The residents received their regular diet supplemented with fingerfoods, comprising quiches and cakes rich in fruit or vegetables, for 6 weeks. Daily fingerfood consumption together with compensation behaviour at dinner of residents was administered with a checklist and food diaries at the start and end of the intervention as dose delivered. Furthermore, caregivers were asked to fill out a feedback form at the end of the intervention to measure fidelity and appreciation of the intervention. RESULTS: Patients consumed on average 1.4 pieces (70 g) of fingerfoods daily, containing 41 g of fruit and/or vegetables. Fruit and vegetable consumption increased during the provision of the fingerfoods and the residents seemed not to compensate this intake during the rest of the day. The intervention was generally positively received by the majority of caregivers, depending on the type of fingerfood and state of the resident. CONCLUSION: This feasibility study showed that providing recognizable fruit and vegetable rich fingerfoods to patients with dementia seems feasible for both patients and caregivers and could provide a pragmatic approach to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption and total food intake in institutionalized elderly. In an up-scaled study, effects of fingerfoods on nutritional status and quality of life should be investigated.

Association of Adherence to a Healthy Diet with Cognitive Decline in European and American Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis within the CHANCES Consortium.

AIM: To examine the association between a healthy diet, assessed by the Healthy Diet Indicator (HDI), and cognitive decline in older adults. METHODS: Data from 21,837 participants aged ≥55 years from 3 cohorts (Survey in Europe on Nutrition and the Elderly, a Concerted Action [SENECA], Rotterdam Study [RS], Nurses' Health Study [NHS]) were analyzed. HDI scores were based on intakes of saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, mono- and disaccharides, protein, cholesterol, fruits and vegetables, and fiber. The Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status in NHS and Mini-Mental State Examination in RS and SENECA were used to assess cognitive function from multiple repeated measures. Using multivariable-adjusted, mixed linear regression, mean differences in annual rates of cognitive decline by HDI quintiles were estimated. RESULTS: Multivariable-adjusted differences in rates in the highest versus the lowest HDI quintile were 0.01 (95% CI -0.01, 0.02) in NHS, 0.00 (95% CI -0.02, 0.01) in RS, and 0.00 (95% CI -0.05, 0.05) in SENECA with a pooled estimate of 0.00 (95% CI -0.01, 0.01), I2 = 0%. CONCLUSIONS: A higher HDI score was not related to reduced rates of cognitive decline in European and American older adults.

Cortical phase changes measured using 7-T MRI in subjects with subjective cognitive impairment, and their association with cognitive function.

Studies have suggested that, in subjects with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like changes may occur in the brain. Recently, an in vivo study has indicated the potential of ultra-high-field MRI to visualize amyloid-beta (Aß)-associated changes in the cortex in patients with AD, manifested by a phase shift on T2 *-weighted MRI scans. The main aim of this study was to investigate whether cortical phase shifts on T2 *-weighted images at 7 T in subjects with SCI can be detected, possibly implicating the deposition of Aß plaques and associated iron. Cognitive tests and T2 *-weighted scans using a 7-T MRI system were performed in 28 patients with AD, 18 subjects with SCI and 27 healthy controls (HCs). Cortical phase shifts were measured. Univariate general linear modeling and linear regression analysis were used to assess the association between diagnosis and cortical phase shift, and between cortical phase shift and the different neuropsychological tests, adjusted for age and gender. The phase shift (mean, 1.19; range, 1.00-1.35) of the entire cortex in AD was higher than in both SCI (mean, 0.85; range, 0.73-0.99; p < 0.001) and HC (mean, 0.94; range, 0.79-1.10; p < 0.001). No AD-like changes, e.g. increased cortical phase shifts, were found in subjects with SCI compared with HCs. In SCI, a significant association was found between memory function (Wechsler Memory Scale, WMS) and cortical phase shift (ß = -0.544, p = 0.007). The major finding of this study is that, in subjects with SCI, an increased cortical phase shift measured at high field is associated with a poorer memory performance, although, as a group, subjects with SCI do not show an increased phase shift compared with HCs. This increased cortical phase shift related to memory performance may contribute to the understanding of SCI as it is still unclear whether SCI is a sign of pre-clinical AD. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Association of Seafood Consumption, Brain Mercury Level, and APOE ε4 Status With Brain Neuropathology in Older Adults.

IMPORTANCE: Seafood consumption is promoted for its many health benefits even though its contamination by mercury, a known neurotoxin, is a growing concern. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether seafood consumption is correlated with increased brain mercury levels and also whether seafood consumption or brain mercury levels are correlated with brain neuropathologies. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional analyses of deceased participants in the Memory and Aging Project clinical neuropathological cohort study, 2004-2013. Participants resided in Chicago retirement communities and subsidized housing. The study included 286 autopsied brains of 554 deceased participants (51.6%). The mean (SD) age at death was 89.9 (6.1) years, 67% (193) were women, and the mean (SD) educational attainment was 14.6 (2.7) years. EXPOSURES: Seafood intake was first measured by a food frequency questionnaire at a mean of 4.5 years before death. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Dementia-related pathologies assessed were Alzheimer disease, Lewy bodies, and the number of macroinfarcts and microinfarcts. Dietary consumption of seafood and n-3 fatty acids was annually assessed by a food frequency questionnaire in the years before death. Tissue concentrations of mercury and selenium were measured using instrumental neutron activation analyses. RESULTS: Among the 286 autopsied brains of 544 participants, brain mercury levels were positively correlated with the number of seafood meals consumed per week (ρ = 0.16; P = .02). In models adjusted for age, sex, education, and total energy intake, seafood consumption (≥ 1 meal[s]/week) was significantly correlated with less Alzheimer disease pathology including lower density of neuritic plaques (ß = -0.69 score units [95% CI, -1.34 to -0.04]), less severe and widespread neurofibrillary tangles (ß = -0.77 score units [95% CI, -1.52 to -0.02]), and lower neuropathologically defined Alzheimer disease (ß = -0.53 score units [95% CI, -0.96 to -0.10]) but only among apolipoprotein E (APOE ε4) carriers. Higher intake levels of α-linolenic acid (18:3 n-3) were correlated with lower odds of cerebral macroinfarctions (odds ratio for tertiles 3 vs 1, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.27 to 0.94]). Fish oil supplementation had no statistically significant correlation with any neuropathologic marker. Higher brain concentrations of mercury were not significantly correlated with increased levels of brain neuropathology. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In cross-sectional analyses, moderate seafood consumption was correlated with lesser Alzheimer disease neuropathology. Although seafood consumption was also correlated with higher brain levels of mercury, these levels were not correlated with brain neuropathology.

Higher Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Lower Plasma Glucose Are Associated with Larger Gray Matter Volume but Not with White Matter or Total Brain Volume in Dutch Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown beneficial associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status and cognitive performance, but results are inconclusive. Studies on 25(OH)D status and brain volumetric measures may provide more insight in the potential role of vitamin D in cognitive performance. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to cross-sectionally investigate the association between vitamin D status and brain tissue volumes in 217 Dutch community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 y and to examine whether surrogate markers of glucose homeostasis act as modifiers in these associations. METHODS: Serum 25(OH)D, plasma glucose, and plasma insulin were analyzed, serving as exposure measures. Estimates of total brain volume, gray matter volume, and white matter volume were obtained using MRI, serving as outcome measures. Associations of serum 25(OH)D, plasma glucose, and plasma insulin concentrations with brain tissue volumes were evaluated using multiple linear regression analyses. Potential effect modification by glucose homeostasis in the association between 25(OH)D and brain volumetric measures was examined by stratification and testing for interaction. RESULTS: After full adjustment, higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations and lower plasma glucose concentrations were associated with larger gray matter volume, [ß ± SE: 0.20 ± 0.08 mL (P = 0.02) and -3.26 ± 1.59 mL (P = 0.04), respectively]. There were no associations between serum 25(OH)D and plasma insulin concentrations with total brain volume and white matter volume. Furthermore, there was no evidence for a mediation or modification effect of plasma glucose on the associations between serum 25(OH)D and brain tissue volumes. CONCLUSION: Higher serum 25(OH)D and lower plasma glucose are associated with larger gray matter volume, but not white matter or total brain volume, in a population of Dutch adults aged ≥65 y. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00696514.

The impact of protein supplementation on cognitive performance in frail elderly.

PURPOSE: Maintenance of cognitive abilities is important for elderly to stay independent. With the aging of the population, the call for modifiable factors is emerging. Dietary protein might improve cognitive performance; however, this has hardly been studied. Therefore, we studied the impact of 24-week dietary protein supplementation on cognitive performance in pre-frail and frail elderly people. METHODS: Pre-frail and frail elderly subjects, according to the Fried criteria, randomly received a protein drink containing 15 g protein or a placebo drink twice a day. Cognitive performance was measured at baseline and after 24 weeks by means of a sensitive neuropsychological test battery. In addition, reaction time was assessed after both 12 and 24 weeks of intervention. Domain scores were calculated for the domains episodic memory, attention and working memory, information processing speed, and executive functioning. Analyses of covariance were used to determine differences between groups. Linear mixed models were used to determine differences in reaction time over time and per treatment. RESULTS: In total, 65 subjects (79 ± 8 years) with a median Mini-Mental State Examination score of 28 (interquartile range 26-30) were included. Reaction time improved more in the protein group (68 ms) than in the placebo group (18 ms, P = 0.03). Dietary protein had no significant effect on any of the cognitive domain scores. CONCLUSIONS: Protein supplementation might improve reaction time performance in pre-frail and frail elderly, but did not improve other cognitive functions.

The Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) Diet for the Aging Brain: A Systematic Review.

The Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet seems a promising approach to preserve brain function during aging. Previous systematic reviews have demonstrated benefits of the MIND diet for cognition and dementia, though an update is needed. Additionally, other outcomes relevant to brain aging have not been summarized. Therefore, this systematic review aims to give an up-to-date and complete overview on human studies that examined the MIND diet in relation to brain aging outcomes in adults aged ≥40 y. Ovid Medline, Web of Science core collection, and Scopus were searched up to July 25, 2023. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool. We included 40 articles, of which 32 were unique cohorts. Higher MIND diet adherence was protective of dementia in 7 of 10 cohorts. Additionally, positive associations were demonstrated in 3 of 4 cohorts for global cognition and 4 of 6 cohorts for episodic memory. The protective effects of the MIND diet on cognitive decline are less apparent, with only 2 of 7 longitudinal cohorts demonstrating positive associations for global decline and 1 of 6 for episodic memory decline. For other brain outcomes (domain-specific cognition, cognitive impairments, Parkinson's disease, brain volume, and pathology), results were mixed or only few studies had been performed. Many of the cohorts demonstrating protective associations were of North American origin, raising the question if the most favorable diet for healthy brain aging is population-dependent. In conclusion, this systematic review provides observational evidence for protective associations between the MIND diet and global cognition and dementia risk, but evidence for other brain outcomes remains mixed and/or limited. The MIND diet may be the preferred diet for healthy brain aging in North American populations, though evidence for other populations seems less conclusive. This review was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42022254625.

An Anti-Inflammatory Diet and Its Potential Benefit for Individuals with Mental Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases-A Narrative Review.

This narrative review synthesizes current evidence regarding anti-inflammatory dietary patterns and their potential benefits for individuals with mental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Chronic low-grade inflammation is increasingly recognized as a key factor in the etiology and progression of these conditions. The review examines the evidence for the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of dietary components and food groups, focusing on whole foods rather than specific nutrients or supplements. Key dietary components showing potential benefits include fruits and vegetables (especially berries and leafy greens), whole grains, legumes, fatty fish rich in omega-3, nuts (particularly walnuts), olive oil, and fermented foods. These foods are generally rich in antioxidants, dietary fiber, and bioactive compounds that may help modulate inflammation, support gut health, and promote neuroprotection. Conversely, ultra-processed foods, red meat, and sugary beverages may be harmful. Based on this evidence, we designed the Brain Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition (BrAIN) diet. The mechanisms of this diet include the modulation of the gut microbiota and the gut-brain axis, the regulation of inflammatory pathways, a reduction in oxidative stress, and the promotion of neuroplasticity. The BrAIN diet shows promise as an aid to manage mental and neurodegenerative disorders.

A multidomain lifestyle intervention to maintain optimal cognitive functioning in Dutch older adults-study design and baseline characteristics of the FINGER-NL randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the effectiveness of multidomain lifestyle interventions to prevent cognitive decline in older people without dementia is mixed. Embedded in the World-Wide FINGERS initiative, FINGER-NL aims to investigate the effectiveness of a 2-year multidomain lifestyle intervention on cognitive functioning in older Dutch at risk individuals. METHODS: Multi-center, randomized, controlled, multidomain lifestyle intervention trial with a duration of 24 months. 1210 adults between 60-79 years old with presence of ≥ 2 modifiable risk factors and ≥ 1 non-modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline were recruited between January 2022 and May 2023 via the Dutch Brain Research Registry and across five study sites in the Netherlands. Participants were randomized to either a high-intensity or a low-intensity intervention group. The multidomain intervention comprises a combination of 7 lifestyle components (physical activity, cognitive training, cardiovascular risk factor management, nutritional counseling, sleep counseling, stress management, and social activities) and 1 nutritional product (Souvenaid®) that could help maintain cognitive functioning. The high-intensity intervention group receives a personalized, supervised and hybrid intervention consisting of group meetings (on-site and online) and individual sessions guided by a trained lifestyle coach, and access to a digital intervention platform that provides custom-made training materials and selected lifestyle apps. The low-intensity intervention group receives bi-monthly online lifestyle-related health advice via the digital intervention platform. Primary outcome is 2-year change on a cognitive composite score covering processing speed, executive function, and memory. RESULTS: Within 17 months, participant recruitment has been successfully completed (N = 1210; mean age: 67.7 years (SD: 4.6); 64% female). Modifiable risk factors commonly present at baseline were physical inactivity (89%), low mental/cognitive activity (50%), low social engagement (39%), hypertension (39%) and high alcohol consumption (39%). The mean body mass index of participants was 28.3 (SD: 4.2) and the total serum cholesterol was 5.4 mmol/L (SD: 1.2). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline lifestyle and clinical measurements showed successful recruitment of participants with sufficient potential for prevention. Results of FINGER-NL will provide further insight into the efficacy of a multidomain lifestyle intervention to prevent cognitive decline in older adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT05256199)/2022-01-11.

Probiotics Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and Lactobacillus casei CRL 431 modestly increase growth, but not iron and zinc status, among Indonesian children aged 1-6 years.

Probiotics and milk calcium may increase resistance to intestinal infection, but their effect on growth and iron and zinc status of Indonesian children is uncertain. We investigated the hypotheses that cow milk with added probiotics would improve growth and iron and zinc status of Indonesian children, whereas milk calcium alone would improve growth but reduce iron and zinc status. A 6-mo randomized trial was conducted in low-socioeconomic urban communities of Jakarta. Healthy children (n = 494) were randomly assigned to receive low-lactose milk with a low calcium content of ∼50 mg/d (LC; n = 124), a regular calcium content of ∼440 mg/d (RC group; n = 126), regular calcium with 5 × 10(8) CFU/d Lactobacillus casei CRL 431 (casei; n = 120), or regular calcium with 5 × 10(8) CFU/d Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (reuteri; n = 124). Growth, anemia, and iron and zinc status were assessed before and after the intervention. Compared with the RC group, the reuteri group had significantly greater weight gain [0.22 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.42) kg], weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) changes [0.09 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.17)], and monthly weight [0.03 (95% CI: 0.002, 0.05) kg/mo] and height [0.03 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.05) cm/mo] velocities. Casei significantly increased monthly weight velocity [0.03 (95% CI: 0.001, 0.05) kg/mo], but not height. However, the changes in underweight, stunting, anemia prevalence, and iron and zinc status were similar between groups. In conclusion, L. reuteri DSM 17938 modestly improved growth by increasing weight gain, WAZ changes, and weight and height velocity, whereas L. casei CRL 431 modestly improved weight velocity. Independent from probiotics supplementation, regular milk calcium did not affect growth or iron and zinc status.

Literature review on the role of dietary protein and amino acids in cognitive functioning and cognitive decline.

As the population of elderly people is growing rapidly, the number of individuals with dementia and cognitive impairment is also increasing. One of the preventive measures against cognitive decline is diet and different dietary factors have already been investigated. This review provides an overview of studies on dietary protein and cognitive functioning and cognitive decline. Also studies on the individual amino acids that are related to brain function, tryptophan and tyrosine, are discussed. Overall, the role of dietary protein intake on cognitive functioning as well as cognitive decline has hardly been studied; we found eight observational studies and three intervention studies. More studies investigated the role of tryptophan (14 studies) and tyrosine (nine studies) in relation to cognitive functioning, but all these studies were performed in young adult populations and mostly under special conditions. Research in elderly populations, in particular, is warranted. Also more research is needed to come to definitive conclusions and specific recommendations regarding protein intake or intake of specific amino acids for maintaining optimal cognitive functioning.