A new study published in the journal Nature Aging has found specific nutrients that may play a pivotal role in healthy aging of the brain. Combining state-of-the-art innovations in neuroscience and nutritional science, scientists identified a specific nutrient profile in study participants who performed better cognitively.

The researchers at University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign enrolled 100 cognitively healthy participants, aged 65-75.

The participants completed a questionnaire with demographic information, body measurements and physical activity. Blood plasma was collected following a fasting period to analyze the nutrient biomarkers. Participants also underwent cognitive assessments and MRI scans.

The beneficial nutrient blood biomarkers in the study were a combination of fatty acids, antioxidants and carotenoids. This profile is correlated with nutrients found in the Mediterranean diet, previously associated with healthy brain aging.

Citation: Zwilling, C.E., Wu, J. & Barbey, A.K. Investigating nutrient biomarkers of healthy brain aging: a multimodal brain imaging study. npj Aging 10, 27 (2024). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41514-024-00150-8 (open-access)

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