A new study found that a Mediterranean diet prevents the decrease of cognitive function with age. A medical journal (Alzheimer’s and Dementia) published the results. Accordingly, this medical news story was reviewed here. Two studies on Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and a follow-up study (AREDS2) were the basis for analyzing the effect of nutritional changes on cognitive functioning.
Findings of the Mediterranean diet on cognitive functioning
Researchers found regarding patients who adhered most to a Mediterranean diet:
- Findings for cognitive impairment: Measured with a modified minimal mental state exam: 64% better than patients that were non-adherent to diet
- Cognitive impairment judged by telephone interview: 44% better than those non-adherent to Mediterranean diet.
- In one group higher amounts of fish were part of the Mediterranean diet. The researchers noted significantly slower cognitive decline over 5 and 10 years. Specifically, there was a 98.1% delay in decline of cognitive function.
Effect of Mediterranean diet
In a study from 2017 conducted by the National Institutes of Bethesda, Maryland a Mediterranean diet showed several health benefits. This diet reduces cardiovascular diseases and also inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, breast cancer, bowel cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. It was the reduction of cognitive decline by the Mediterranean diet that triggered the analysis of the AREDS and AREDS2 studies.
Other factors reducing cognitive decline
Diet is only one factor that improves cognitive functioning. To put it another way, there are other useful factors that help to improve cognitive functioning. To put it another way, exercise, computer games, socialization and treatment of risk factors that cause cardiovascular diseases have also positive effects on cognitive functioning. The best approach is to combine all of these factors for the benefit of the Alzheimer’s patient.
Mediterranean Diet Prevents the Decrease of Cognitive Function with Age
Conclusion
It is encouraging that in a National Institutes of Bethesda, Maryland study the Mediterranean diet has shown to be effective against cognitive decline. People who added fish to the diet reduced the cognitive decline by 98.09%! Other studies have demonstrated that exercise, socialization, computer games and the treatment of risk factors that cause cardiovascular disease can also reduce cognitive decline. The best approach is to combine all of these factors to reduce cognitive decline for patients as they age.
