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.