Abstract
Multiple factors combined are currently recognized as contributors to cognitive decline. The main independent risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia is advanced age followed by other determinants such as genetic, socioeconomic, and environmental factors, including nutrition and physical activity. In the next decades, a rise in dementia cases is expected due largely to the aging of the world population. There are no hitherto effective pharmaceutical therapies to treat age-associated cognitive impairment and dementia, which underscores the crucial role of prevention. A relationship among diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors with cognitive function has been intensively studied with mounting evidence supporting the role of these determinants in the development of cognitive decline and dementia, which is a chief cause of disability globally. Several dietary patterns, foods, and nutrients have been investigated in this regard, with some encouraging and other disappointing results. This review presents the current evidence for the effects of dietary patterns, dietary components, some supplements, physical activity, sleep patterns, and social engagement on the prevention or delay of the onset of age-related cognitive decline and dementia.
Highlights
Higher adherence to the Mediterranean MedDiet-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (Diet) (MedDiet) was associated with a significant reduction in incident PD and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (RR = 0.87; 95% CI = 0.80, 0.96)
Two-point increase in adherence to the MedDiet was associated with a significant reduction of neurodegenerative diseases (RR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.81, 0.94)
High and moderate adherence to the MedDiet was associated with reduced risk for cognitive impairment and AD (RR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.43–0.83)
Summary
Most humans worldwide may expect to live beyond 60 years [1], while demographic data foresee that half of children alive in 2010 in nations with the highest life expectancies would be centenarians [2] This optimistic scenario can be shadowed by the numerous people that would be affected with age-associated cognitive decline, which is a chief cause of disability worldwide [3,4]. An increasing number of studies have emerged indicating the importance of physical activity and exercise for the prevention of the pathological process and complications of dementia [20] In this narrative review, we examine updated evidence of the effects of dietary patterns, dietary components, and supplements on cognitive function decline and dementia. We will briefly review possible mechanisms that may help explain potential benefits
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