Dietary Pattern Score, Diet Quality, and Major Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Meta-analysis of Observational Cohort Studies (OR33-07-19)

Abstract

Objectives Diet is an important lifestyle factor that may prevent or slow the onset and progression of neurodegeneration. Recent studies suggest that adherence to a healthy dietary pattern is associated with reduced risk of cognitive decline. Few studies have examined the relationships between dietary patterns and risk of clinical neurodegenerative disease outcomes. In this meta-analysis, we examined the associations between overall dietary patterns, assessed a priori and a posteriori, and risk of major neurodegenerative disease including dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Methods We systematically searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health databases starting from 1981 to October 10, 2018. Observational cohort studies published in English with prospective and case-control designs were included. Diet assessment approaches (a priori or a posteriori) were utilized to assist in determining whether the exposure was dietary pattern score or diet quality. Generic inverse variance method was used to calculate the pooled risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) among the highest versus the lowest diet quality/dietary pattern score groups in random effect models. Results Seventeen studies with 173,283 participants were identified. Various diet quality indexes or dietary pattern scores, such as the Healthy Eating Index, the Mediterranean diet score, and dietary pattern scores generated by principal component analysis or reduced rank regression, were used among studies. Our meta-analysis of cohorts showed significant associations between adherence to high diet quality or healthy dietary pattern and lower risk of dementia (pooled risk ratio = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.56-0.86) and Parkinson's disease (pooled risk ratio = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.54-0.97) relative to those with low diet quality or unhealthy dietary pattern. Conclusions Adherence to high diet quality or healthy dietary pattern may provide protective effects on risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Additional observational studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to address our study limitations and provide further evidence about the role of a poor diet on the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases as well as the benefits of a healthy diet on the prevention of major neurodegenerative diseases. Funding Sources United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service agreement. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

Does education modify the association between depression and cardiovascular health? (from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, 2013–14 and 2015–16)

“…Calculated totals were used to categorize level of physical activity as poor, intermediate, or ideal based on time engaged in moderate and vigorous activity. Dietary scores were calculated based upon the total number of servings of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, sugar-sweetened beverages, and sodium intake over 24 h, as previously described [26] . NHANES reports each food item with a US Department of Agriculture food code and portion size [27] .…”

The Interplay of Sports and Nutrition in Neurological Health and Recovery

“…The knowledge about the benefits of exercise in humans is increasingly extensive. Beyond its well-known role as cardioprotective, scientific evidence has shown that exercise also enhances various brain functions, positioning it as a significant neuroprotector and therapeutic tool in the prevention of mental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases [43]. Especially in an increasingly aging population, physical exercise proves to be an effective tool in treating neurodegenerative pathology, while improving functional capacity, mobility, and autonomy in dementia patients [44].…”

“…In this context, the neuroprotection processes induced by physical activity are attributed to increased production of neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors, as well as neural hormone production. Physical activity provides neuroprotection and neuroprevention by promoting better cognition, memory, sleep, angiogenesis in the nervous system, and reducing stress, anxiety, insulin resistance, and neuroinflammation [43]. Physical exercise, especially aerobic exercise, benefits synaptic plasticity, particularly in terms of learning, memory, and motor function.…”

Fruit and Vegetable Dietary Patterns and Mental Health in Women: A Systematic Review

“…An increasing number of diseases are being proven to be prevented by adopting specific dietary patterns, and this has also been indicated in meta-analyses on the risk of cardiovascular diseases, 4 chronic kidney disease, 5 cancers (eg, colorectal, 6 lung, 7 endometrial, 8 breast), 9 frailty, 10 neurodegenerative diseases, 11 and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, 12 among others. Moreover, specific dietary patterns have been attributed to a lower risk of cardiometabolic diseases 13 and preterm birth, 14 and a lower level of C-reactive protein.…”