Abstract

ObjectiveThis study was aimed to explore the effects of dietary nutrients on cognitive function among the middle-aged and elderly populations.MethodsA prospective cohort study of 1,385 middle-aged and elderly people was conducted from January 2014 to December 2017. Dietary nutrients were assessed according to the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and China Food Composition Database (CFCD). Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) was used to evaluate the participants’ global cognitive function. Six other neuropsychological measures [auditory verbal learning test-immediate recall (AVLT-IR), auditory verbal learning test-short recall (AVLT-SR), auditory verbal learning test-long recall (AVLT-LR), logical memory test (LMT), digit span forward (DST-F), and digit span backward (DST-B)] were used to assess the verbal memory domain and the attention domain by principal component analysis (PCA). Multiple linear regressions were conducted to explore associations between nutrients and cognition. Sensitivity analyses were performed to confirm the results.ResultsDietary riboflavin was protective for global cognitive function (β = 1.31, 95% CI: 0.26, 2.35) and the verbal memory domain (β = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.71). Unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) played a protective role in global cognitive function (β = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.16, 2.14). The protective effects of riboflavin and USFA on cognitive function were consistent and reliable when different confounders were adjusted during sensitivity analyses. During the follow-up, neuropsychological measure scores revealed a reduced decline in the high-riboflavin group (d-MoCA, P = 0.025; d-AVLT-IR, P = 0.001; d-DST-B, P = 0.004; and d-composite score, P = 0.004) and the high-USFA group (d-AVLT-IR, P = 0.007; d-LMT, P = 0.032; d-DST-B, P = 0.002; and d-composite score, P = 0.008).ConclusionHigher intake of riboflavin and USFA can improve multi-dimensional cognitive functioning in middle-aged and elderly people. These findings were consistent in different models of sensitivity analyses.

Highlights

  • Dementia and cognitive impairment are among the most common conditions that affect the aging population (Brodaty et al, 2014; Gheysen et al, 2018)

  • Dietary riboflavin was protective for global cognitive function (β = 1.31, 95% CI: 0.26, 2.35) and the verbal memory domain (β = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.71)

  • Unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) played a protective role in global cognitive function (β = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.16, 2.14)

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Summary

Introduction

Dementia and cognitive impairment are among the most common conditions that affect the aging population (Brodaty et al, 2014; Gheysen et al, 2018). In a Singaporean study, researchers found that supplemental intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n – 3 PUFA) can prevent cognitive impairment in the elderly (Gao et al, 2011). Recent investigations of the therapeutic potential of supplementation or higher dietary intake of DHA in patients with AD have produced inconsistent results (Bruins et al, 2019). Most of these studies did not use comprehensive neuropsychological measures to assess cognitive function in multiple cognitive domains.

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