Abstract
INTRODUCTION
While observational research suggests a protective role for nutrition in brain aging, intervention studies remain inconclusive. This failing translation from observational to interventional research may result from overlooking nutrient interactions.
METHODS
We developed a nutrient status index capturing the number of suboptimal statuses of omega-3 fatty acids, homocysteine, and vitamin D (range 0 to 3). We associated this index with dementia incidence in a subsample (age ≥ 50 years) of the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort.
RESULTS
Among 968 participants, 79 developed dementia over 15.5 years (median follow-up). Each point increase in nutrient status index was associated with a 50% higher risk of dementia (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16, 1.96). Participants with three high-risk statuses had a four-fold increased risk of dementia compared to participants without high-risk status (HR = 4.68; 95% CI = 1.69, 12.94).
DISCUSSION
Concurrent nutrient deficiencies are associated with the risk of dementia. The potential of optimizing nutritional status to lower dementia risk warrants further study.
Highlights
Nutrition and dementia research calls for multiple-nutrient approaches.
We studied combined suboptimal statuses of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, homocysteine, and vitamin D.
Suboptimal status of the three nutrients was associated with dementia risk.
The risk estimate was larger than for other factors (ie, diabetes, apolipoprotein E ε4 carrier).
Future studies should assess the effect of improving nutrient status on dementia risk.
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This post is Copyright: Annick P. M. van Soest,
Lisette C. P. G. M. de Groot,
Renger F. Witkamp,
Debora Melo van Lent,
Sudha Seshadri,
Ondine van de Rest | June 13, 2024