“Food insecurity” is a risk factor for cognitive deficits

Can a diet lacking in important nutrients increase the risk of dementia? It seems so. This is supported by an American cohort study recently published in Jama which examined the cognitive health of the over 50s. The analysis, based on the observation for 5 years of over 7 thousand subjects with an average age of 68 years, highlighted a higher probability of intellectual deficit for those in conditions of food insecurity, defined as the lack of access to a sufficient quantity of food for a healthy and active lifestyle.


How nutrition affects brain health

The examination of the sample made it possible to establish that in the elderly, inadequate nutritional intake can favor situations of chronic inflammation, stress, cardio-metabolic problems and mental illnesses: in essence, the fertile substrate for cognitive decline. Scholars have associated this situation with an increased risk of onset of dementia, worsening of mnemonic performance and in general a more rapid process of memory deterioration. Among the mechanisms that are plausibly involved, in the foreground are the economic constraints that determine a poor diet in terms of quantity, quality and variety. The subjects found to be at high risk in the study were in fact united by belonging to disadvantaged social groups, having a low level of education and frequently using public subsidies. A topic that deserves greater attention and further research, in light of the fact that the therapeutic options available for dementia are limited, while nutrition is a modifiable factor.

The eating habits of the elderly in Italy

WHO identifies the daily consumption of fruit and vegetables as a key factor for a healthy lifestyle, and recommends 5 portions per day, the so-called Five a day. In our country, in the two-year period 2021-2022, people over 65 have not reached the quantity indicated by the guidelines. According to the data released by the Istituto Superiore di Sanit, only 10% of elderly people consume the 5 recommended portions, 45% take 3-4, while 44% only 1-2. It is interesting to note that, also in this case, the percentage reduces significantly with age, in the presence of economic difficulties and with a lower level of education. Data source.

Essential nutrients for the brain

Alongside substances that are known to play a crucial role in brain health, such as vitamins, minerals such as zinc and magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, we also find lesser-known but equally important micronutrients. Recent evidence has highlighted the protective role of brain aging choline, a structural component of cell membranes and involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters essential for memory and learning. mainly contained in eggs and soybeans, but also in green beans, animal offal, peanuts, peas, wheat germ and brewer's yeast. Much research has suggested that even i flavonoids they can protect the brain thanks to various properties: they would in fact be able to preserve brain cells from damage caused by free radicals, reducing the inflammatory response associated with various neurological disorders, including those linked to aging. They would also improve blood circulation and stimulate the formation of new nerve cells, with a consequent improvement in cognitive performance. They are found in red fruits, apples, citrus fruits, green tea, cocoa, onions, broccoli and red wine.

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