A new study has revealed a significant link between nutritional status and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have found that people with Alzheimer’s disease tend to have significantly poorer nutrition than those without Alzheimer’s and that nutritional status worsens as Alzheimer’s disease progresses.
The study, published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Nutrition, aimed to investigate the relationship between the nutritional status of patients with Alzheimer’s and the progression of the disease. The researchers examined a total of 266 participants, 73 with normal cognition, 72 with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease, and 121 with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Several factors were analyzed, including each participant’s body composition, dietary patterns, nutritional status, and nutrition-related laboratory results. The analysis determined that participants with Alzheimer’s disease had significantly poorer nutrition compared to participants with normal cognition. Researchers also found that a person’s nutritional status tends to worsen further as Alzheimer’s disease progresses.
Explanation of study results
The researchers found that certain personal factors made participants more susceptible to poor nutrition. In particular, lower BMI, smaller calf and hip circumference, lower scores on a nutritional risk index, and lower protein levels have all been associated with the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. According to the researchers, the most accurate indicator of Alzheimer’s was a combination of total protein and albumin levels in the blood, as well as the participant’s calf circumference.
“In this study, people with Alzheimer’s disease were significantly more likely to show signs of malnutrition than those with normal cognition. Other research found similar results, and even 32% of people with dementia are malnourished and 47% are at risk of malnutrition, Laura Ali told The Epoch Times. Ms. Ali is a registered dietitian, culinary nutritionist, and author of the book “MIND Diet for Two”.
All participants were analyzed based on their adherence to the Mediterranean diet or the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND). Although there was no statistically significant difference in the dietary patterns of the three groups of participants, overall nutrition scores were slightly lower in the dementia group.
Why does Alzheimer’s disease make malnutrition worse?
Malnutrition is the most common nutrition-related problem faced by people with Alzheimer’s.
“It is important to note that malnutrition is quite common in dementia and that dementia itself can lead to malnutrition. In many cases, it can be difficult to determine whether malnutrition is a cause or an effect of dementia. As dementia generally affects an older population, other causes of malnutrition may also be present,” Leon Barkodar, MD, told The Epoch Times. Dr. Barkodar is a dual board-certified neurologist with Neurology Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California.
They exist many factors that lead to malnutrition in Alzheimer’s patients and many of them are directly related to how patients’ ability to process and enjoy food changes over time. For example, many people with Alzheimer’s have decreased appetite, difficulty chewing and swallowing, or changes in taste and smell. They may also forget to eat, have difficulty preparing their own meals, or exhibit behavioral symptoms, such as fussiness, that make eating more difficult.
“Some people may be taking multiple medications, which can alter the taste of food, further complicating the issue,” adds Ali.
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, people tend to experience excessive protein and energy consumptionwhich makes malnutrition even worse.
“It is common to see patients with dementia whose nutritional status affects their clinical evolution”, confirms Dr. Barkodar.
How good nutrition can strengthen cognition
A cognitive health it involves many factors, including thinking, learning, memory, motor function, and emotional regulation. All of these aspects of cognition can be directly affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
In general, healthy eating habits have long been associated with cognitive benefits. Research also suggests that micronutrientssuch as vitamins and minerals in particular, can have a significant impact on a person’s cognitive health.
“When there is concern about dementia, most neurologists also check for vitamin/nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B12 and folic acid levels, further highlighting a nutritional component,” explains Dr. Barkodar. “Some recent studies have also shown that a daily multivitamin may be helpful in reducing the risk of dementia.”
“Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seafood and other sources of lean protein such as legumes, nuts and seeds has been shown to help reduce the risk of dementia. Although the specific mechanisms are not well understood, it is suspected that these foods are packed with nutrients that reduce inflammation and oxidative stress and help keep our blood vessels free from plaque buildup,” explains Ali.
Adherence to specific diets – particularly the Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet – has been the focus of many studies into Alzheimer’s disease, with mixed results. Although some studies suggest that adherence to these diets can have a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease, other studies have reported no protective effect. Still, it appears that many nutritionists, including Ms. Ali, still encourage patients suffering from Alzheimer’s to follow the MIND diet.
“The MIND diet has been extensively studied and found that those who follow the diet have a significantly slower rate of cognitive decline,” says Ali. “The diet is a fairly flexible eating plan that focuses on increasing foods that have a positive impact on brain health. She recommends including berries, leafy greens, whole grains, seafood, legumes, nuts and seeds, and olive oil. It also recommends limiting the amount of foods high in saturated fat, fried foods and sweets.”
A notable limitation of the study was that the researchers did not observe which specific foods, within the parameters of the Mediterranean or MIND diets, participants consumed to achieve their ratings. Future research that tracks participants’ food intake more specifically could be helpful in gaining a deeper understanding of how nutrition affects Alzheimer’s disease over time.
Either way, it seems clear that early nutritional intervention is key to reducing the negative effects of malnutrition in Alzheimer’s patients.
“Malnutrition can lead to reduced muscle mass, brittle bones and reduced immunity. This increases the risk of falls, broken bones, infections, and slow wound healing. Some researches suggest that malnutrition in people with dementia may increase some behavioral problems associated with dementia. All of these problems can lead to prolonged hospitalizations and, in some cases, increased mortality,” explains Ali. “Identifying individuals with early signs of malnutrition can help prevent further physical decline and prolonged hospitalizations, as well as improve their quality of life. ”
© Copyright. All Rights Reserved to the Epoch Times in Portuguese 2011-2018
