How could diet affect mild cognitive impairment?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    Evidence suggests that higher circulating concentrations of methionine cycle metabolites (homocysteine, methionine, and S-Adenosylmethionine) are associated with greater cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment.[1] Since folate and vitamin B12 regulate methionine metabolism and can reduce plasma homocysteine concentrations,[2] it is possible that their intake may influence cognitive decline. However, while lower folate and B12 concentrations are associated with poorer cognitive function,[3][4][5] current evidence does not show that dietary folate or vitamin B12 intake prevents or treats mild cognitive impairment.[6][7][8]

    Other cohort studies show that consuming a mediterranean diet[9][10] and a higher dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids[11] are associated with a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment. Long-duration randomized controlled trials are needed to prove the causality of these associations.

    References

    1. ^Zhao Y, Dong X, Chen B, Zhang Y, Meng S, Guo F, Guo X, Zhu J, Wang H, Cui H, Li SBlood levels of circulating methionine components in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Aging Neurosci.(2022)
    2. ^Olaso-Gonzalez G, Inzitari M, Bellelli G, Morandi A, Barcons N, Viña JImpact of supplementation with vitamins B , B , and/or folic acid on the reduction of homocysteine levels in patients with mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review.IUBMB Life.(2022-Jan)
    3. ^Köbe T, Witte AV, Schnelle A, Grittner U, Tesky VA, Pantel J, Schuchardt JP, Hahn A, Bohlken J, Rujescu D, Flöel AVitamin B-12 concentration, memory performance, and hippocampal structure in patients with mild cognitive impairment.Am J Clin Nutr.(2016-Apr)
    4. ^Siuda J, Gorzkowska A, Patalong-Ogiewa M, Krzystanek E, Czech E, Wiechuła B, Garczorz W, Danch A, Jasińska-Myga B, Opala GFrom mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease - influence of homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate on cognition over time: results from one-year follow-up.Neurol Neurochir Pol.(2009)
    5. ^Quadri P, Fragiacomo C, Pezzati R, Zanda E, Forloni G, Tettamanti M, Lucca UHomocysteine, folate, and vitamin B-12 in mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer disease, and vascular dementia.Am J Clin Nutr.(2004-Jul)
    6. ^Malouf R, Grimley Evans JFolic acid with or without vitamin B12 for the prevention and treatment of healthy elderly and demented people.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2008-Oct-08)
    7. ^McCleery J, Abraham RP, Denton DA, Rutjes AW, Chong LY, Al-Assaf AS, Griffith DJ, Rafeeq S, Yaman H, Malik MA, Di Nisio M, Martínez G, Vernooij RW, Tabet NVitamin and mineral supplementation for preventing dementia or delaying cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2018-11-01)
    8. ^Butler M, Nelson VA, Davila H, Ratner E, Fink HA, Hemmy LS, McCarten JR, Barclay TR, Brasure M, Kane RLOver-the-Counter Supplement Interventions to Prevent Cognitive Decline, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Clinical Alzheimer-Type Dementia: A Systematic Review.Ann Intern Med.(2018-Jan-02)
    9. ^Singh B, Parsaik AK, Mielke MM, Erwin PJ, Knopman DS, Petersen RC, Roberts ROAssociation of mediterranean diet with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Alzheimers Dis.(2014)
    10. ^Natalia García-Casares, Paloma Gallego Fuentes, Miguel Ángel Barbancho, Rosa López-Gigosos, Antonio García-Rodríguez, Mario Gutiérrez-BedmarAlzheimer's Disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mediterranean Diet. A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-AnalysisJ Clin Med.(2021 Oct 10)
    11. ^Run-Ze Zhu, Mei-Qing Chen, Zhi-Wen Zhang, Tian-Yu Wu, Wen-Hong ZhaoDietary fatty acids and risk for Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment: A prospective cohort meta-analysisNutrition.(2021 May 26)