Nutrition and cognitive function in the elderly population

Abstract

function. There is some evidence that the Mediterranean diet as well as some types of dietary restrictions can have protective effects against cognitive decline and dementia. Some animal-based models suggest that lower calorie intake is associated with increased life expectancy and reduced risk of cognitive decline. A low intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA) is one of the factors in the Mediterranean diet that is beneficial to health. Replacing SFA with PUFA improves glucose and cholesterol regulation and increases BDNF levels in the hippocampus. The Mediterranean diet is also rich in dietary polyphenols, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Conclusions. Protective effects of diet are determined by adherence to diet before ageing. There is currently no evidence of the therapeutic effectiveness of interventional dietary changes in patients with clinical manifestations of dementia. StreSzczenieCel. Zaburzenia funkcji poznawczych, w tym otępienia, dotykające znaczną część populacji w wieku podeszłym, stają się jednym z najważniejszych problemów zdrowotnych. Zmiany biologiczne prowadzące do uszkodzenia mózgowia rozpoczynają się wiele lat przed początkiem uchwytnych objawów klinicznych, a ich nasilenie uwarunkowane jest wieloma czynnikami. Część czynników mających wpływ na wystąpienie otępienia może podlegać modyfikacjom środowiskowym. Jednym z nich jest dieta. Przegląd piśmiennictwa. W wielu badaniach wykazano związek pomiędzy rodzajem diety a nasileniem zaburzeń AbStrActObjectives. Cognitive problems, including dementia, which affects a significant part of the elderly population, are becoming a major public health concern. The biological changes leading to brain damage begin years before the onset of clinical symptoms. The severity of biological changes is determined by many factors. Some of those factors, including diet, can be modified. Studies have shown that the type of diet affects the severity of cognitive impairment and/or the prevalence of dementia. Literature review. This paper outlines the suggested effect of comprehensive dietary strategies on cognitive