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Can a specific diet slow cognitive decline in older adults in Mexico?
Vanessa De la Cruz, Ph.D.
National Institute of Public Health of Mexico
Cuernavaca, Mexico
Background
Studies have shown that Alzheimer’s, like other chronic diseases, can develop as a result of multiple factors, such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle, rather than a single cause. This includes modifiable lifestyle factors that provide opportunities for risk reduction strategies, such as those that modify physical activity or diet. Recent research suggests that nutrition may play an important role in brain health and risk for developing Alzheimer’s later in life.
For example, studies suggest that following a Mediterranean diet, where nutrients are obtained predominantly from fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, whole nuts and grains, and fish and seafood, is associated with slowing cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s. However, the Mediterranean diet has yet to be examined in diverse populations to see whether these benefits apply to all individuals.
Research Plan
Dr. Vanessa De la Cruz and colleagues will study the impact of the Mediterranean diet on cognitive decline in older adults in Mexico. They will do this by leveraging data from the 2012 Mexican National Nutrition Survey that collected information on dietary patterns and brain health in older adults. The team will first examine the relationship between high adherence to the Mediterranean diet and cognitive function. Next, the team will conduct focus group surveys in a local community in central Mexico to examine the knowledge and perceptions among older individuals of the impact of diet on brain health.
Impact
The results from this project may improve our understanding of how dietary interventions, such as the Mediterranean diet, can be used to slow cognitive decline across a diverse population. If successful, it could also support diet as a modifiable risk factor for the prevention of Alzheimer’s.
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