Perspectives in dementia risk reduction - food for thought.

Diet and specific nutritional factors, alone and in combination with other lifestyle approaches, have an important role in decreasing the risk for dementia. Protective factors for dementia risk reduction are important in early as well as late adult life, since pathological processes underlying dementia begin years before clinical symptoms appear. Decreased levels of nutrients, such as B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, exacerbate pathological processes contributing to cognitive impairment. Initial work using specific diets, including the MIND diet (which combines elements of the Mediterranean and DASH diets), has shown potential to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or improve cognitive function, but further research is required. Although the benefits of single-agent nutrient supplementation are unclear, the LipiDiDiet trial has indicated that multinutrient supplementation with Fortasyn Connect may have the potential to improve cognitive function and decrease disease progression in individuals with prodromal Alzheimer's disease. The worldwide FINGER studies are assessing the potential benefits of multidomain lifestyle-based interventions in the prevention of cognitive decline, including dietary interventions. Evidence for the importance of nutrition in combination with lifestyle approaches in maintaining a healthy brain indicates that public health policy must consider nutrition and diet when targeting dementia risk reduction and healthy aging. What is this article about? There is a growing body of evidence that specific diets and specific nutritional components of these diets may be able to reduce the risk of developing dementia or improve brain function in those who already have signs of dementia. This article provides an overview of, and commentary on, what is currently known on this subject.What were the findings? There is evidence to suggest that some diets, including the MIND diet, may help reduce the risk of developing dementia and/or improve brain function, but further research is needed to clarify this. It is currently unclear whether single nutrient supplements (such as specific vitamins) are beneficial, but there is stronger evidence that Fortasyn Connect—a combination of several specific nutritional factors—may have the potential to improve brain function and slow down the rate of progression of Alzheimer’s disease in people who are in its early stages. Studies also show that dietary supplements like Fortasyn Connect may help maintain a ‘healthy brain’ when used together with other lifestyle approaches, such as exercise and social activities.What do these findings mean? These findings show how important diet and nutrition are in maintaining not only physical health but also brain health. They also indicate that specific diets and nutritional components, when used alongside other lifestyle approaches, might be helpful in reducing the risk of developing dementia and improving brain function. Public health initiatives to reduce the risk of dementia should therefore include guidance on diet and nutrition.