Relationship between inflammatory markers, compliance to the MIND diet and body composition in older adults without cognitive decline

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundChronic low‐grade inflammation is one of the main drivers of cognitive decline. The MIND Diet is a dietary pattern that includes foods rich in antioxidants that exert a neuroprotective effect by decreasing oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation. The aim was to evaluate the association between inflammation markers and the intake of foods characteristic of the MIND diet with body composition in older adults.Method Cross‐sectional analysis of 73 older adults (70.6±4.6 years, 63% women) without cognitive decline who are participating in the LatAm Fingers study in Mexico. Basal blood samples were taken to determine C‐reactive protein (CRP) and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Subjects were divided into two groups according to CRP levels (≤1.0 mg/L without inflammation; >1.0 mg/L with inflammation). Body composition was measured by multi‐frequency bioelectrical impedance (Inbody 720). Participants were asked to autocomplete a validated food frequency questionnaire (POINTER) to evaluate the dietary intake of the MIND diet foods (leafy green vegetables, other vegetables, olive oil, fish, poultry, nuts, whole grains, legumes, and berries). Low adherence was defined as a total score of <8 out of 15 points. Result74% of women presented elevated CRP levels (>1.0mg/L). Interestingly, subjects from the group without inflammation had lower values of body mass index (BMI) (27.2 ± 2.4 vs. 30.0 ± 3.6 Kg/m²; p = 0.002), total fat percentage (35.5 ± 5.6 vs. 42.9 ± 6.9%; p = 0.0001) and visceral fat area (108.3 ± 20.7 vs. 123.6 ± 24.0 cm²; p = 0.012) and higher levels of total muscle mass (23.9 ± 5.0 vs. 21.6 ± 4.3Kg; p = 0.049). All participants had metabolic endotoxemia (LPS levels 450 ± 211 ng/mL). Compliance with the MIND diet was deficient (score <8 points) in most participants (58.3%).Conclusion High levels of CRP are associated with a negative impact on body composition in older Mexican adults. Additionally, this population is at high risk of cognitive decline as it presents elevated markers of systemic inflammation with a low intake of neuroprotective foods.