Key nutrients may help slow brain aging

• Previous research has supported the multiple health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, including its effects on brain health.
• A recent study found that certain nutrients like vitamin E and certain fatty acids may help slow brain aging.
• Researchers note these specific nutrients are key components of the Mediterranean diet.

Researchers are increasingly interested in exploring ways to support healthy brain aging and prevent cognitive decline. One area of interest is how diet may influence cognitive function.

A recent study published in Nature Aging looked at nutrient profiles of older adults and how this related to brain health.

Researchers utilized cognitive tests and brain imaging techniques and examined blood-based biomarkers to establish nutrient profiles. They identified a nutrient profile associated with slower brain aging. This nutrient profile had higher levels of specific fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins.

The nutrients examined reflect the Mediterranean diet’s components, highlighting another benefit of following this diet.

Study author Aron K. Barbey, PhD, director of the Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign told Medical News Today the research adds to a growing body of evidence supporting the brain health benefits of the Mediterranean diet:

“Our research builds on prior work in several ways. First, it’s one of the largest and most comprehensive studies to use blood-based biomarkers to investigate the connection between diet and brain health. Second, it goes beyond traditional cognitive tests by employing multimodal neuroimaging measures. This provides a more complete picture of brain health, encompassing measures of brain structure, function, and metabolism. Finally, the study goes beyond focusing on single nutrients and identifies a specific nutrient profile associated with slower brain aging.”