Article provided by: Dr. Joel Kahn, MDHe is a clinical professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine, a world-class cardiologist, best-selling author, lecturer, and a leading authority on plant-based nutrition and holistic care.
Dr. Khan will be one of the featured speakers at A4M’s 32nd Annual Spring Conference, May 3-5, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. He will participate in sessions on maintaining health, including optimizing nutrition and deciphering metabolic deficiencies. , elucidation of genetic influences. For more information, please visit: go.a4m.com
Patients in my clinic often express greater fear about aging, forgetfulness, and the risk of developing dementia than about the consequences of heart disease or cancer. Strategies to prevent memory decline are evolving, but it’s clear that regular exercise, a healthy diet, proper sleep and weight management are part of a brain-friendly program.How can a healthy diet protect the brain? new research demonstrates one mechanism and promotes the value of the MIND diet for brain health.
study
The Framingham Descendant Cohort is a decades-old database that originated in Framingham, Massachusetts and now tracks new generations. The authors included participants who were 60 years of age or older, free of dementia, and had dietary, epigenetic, and follow-up data. They evaluated healthy eating as long-term adherence to the Mediterranean Dash Intervention Diet for Neurodegeneration Delay (MIND, 4 visits spanning 1991 to 2008).
They measured the pace of aging from blood DNA methylation data collected from 2005 to 2008 using the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock. Dementia incidence and mortality were defined using study records compiled from visits 2005–2008 to 2018.
result
Of 1,644 participants (mean age 70 years, 54% female), 140 developed dementia and n=471 died during the 14-year follow-up.
Higher MIND scores (higher adherence to this healthy eating pattern) were associated with slower DunedinPACE aging measures and lower risk of dementia and death.
Later DunedinPACE aging measures were associated with lower risk of dementia and mortality.
In mediation analyses, slow DunedinPACE accounted for 27% of the association between diet and dementia and 57% of the association between diet and death.
discussion
The authors stated that the MIND diet “optimally combines two important principles of healthy eating.” mediterranean diet and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) DietThe MIND diet includes red meat, butter, [and] sweets. “
The findings suggest that a slower pace of aging is part of the relationship between a healthy diet and lower dementia risk.
Monitoring the pace of aging may help prevent dementia and prevent dementia. is available As a kit that can be ordered
The link between diet and dementia is largely unknown and may reflect a direct relationship between diet and brain aging.
Comments regarding the MIND diet for brain health have increased.
The MIND diet reduces inflammation, improves metabolic health, and supports heart and brain health. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants is critical for reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, which are associated with cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. ”
On the other hand, diets high in saturated fat and sugar can exacerbate neuroinflammation, worsen the brain’s insulin resistance, and lead to cognitive decline.
The MIND diet provides nutrients important for brain health. long-chain omega-3 fatty acids with anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective properties, polyphenols that are antioxidants, as well as phenolic compounds, vitamins E and B, sphingolipids or choline that have the ability to inhibit amyloid formation, oxidative stress, or inflammation. .
The MIND diet is rich in fiber, promotes gut microbiome health, and benefits the gut-brain axis.
