Nutrition is an important component in helping reduce the incidence and impact of dementia in older adults. Sarah Hoit, Founder and Chairman of Social Impact Partners, and Mindi Manuel, Senior Manager for Sodexo’s Area Clinical Support, discussed the Global Brain Health and Longevity Impact Report and the importance of healthy living to prioritize brain health in our January webinar, “Global Brain Health Initiative and Nutrition.” You can watch the webinar recording, and here’s a recap!

Manuel explained there are three factors we cannot control—age, genetics, and family history—but there are risk factors that account for 40% of the worldwide dementias that can help us delay the onset of dementia. The changes in the brain that happen with Alzheimer’s begin 20 years before the onset and interventions that can modestly delay the onset would have a huge impact. Aged care providers cannot control the level of education, air pollution, or head injuries, but should aim to modify and control social isolation, depression, hearing impairment, smoking, and physical inactivity.

What does nutrition have to do with brain health and how can nutrition impact cognitive decline?

Nutrition is important throughout dementia and the continuum of care. A healthy lifestyle and diet can prevent or delay the onset of dementia—the sooner these dietary strategies are incorporated, the greater the impact on future cognition.

Five diets have been studied concerning cognition, including the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, the Mediterranean Diet, the Ketogenic Diet, the Nordic Diet, and the MIND Diet. Each has proven to provide vascular protection through lowered blood pressure and improved cholesterol through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The MIND Diet, a combination of the DASH and Mediterranean Diet, was specifically designed to preserve cognitive function. Researchers specifically designed the MIND diet to improve brain function and reduce the risk of developing dementia. The initial study went from 2003 to 2013 and the results were released in 2015. Those who followed the MIND diet most closely had a 53% lower risk of developing AD as compared to those who followed it the least. (Learn more about the MIND Diet here.)

Hoit and Manual also emphasized that physical activity and social engagement are just as important as nutrition to cognitive health. Suggested opportunities for aged care providers to help in these areas included:

• Increase socialization at mealtimes and provide assistance.
• Offer meals when an individual is responsive and minimize distractions during mealtimes.
• Provide small, frequent meals.
• Provide hand-held food that do not require cutlery.
• Provide foods that do not require a lot of chewing.

Bonus! Social Impact Partners hosts an Olympic contest that encourages young, innovative entrepreneurs based on their concepts to enhance brain health and longevity. Learn more.

Thank you to our webinar sponsor: