The Nordic diet and cognition – The DR's EXTRA Study

Abstract

The rapid increase in the prevalence of dementia associated with ageing populations has stimulated interest in identifying modifiable lifestyle factors that could prevent cognitive impairment. One such potential preventive lifestyle factor is the Nordic diet that has been shown to reduce the risk of CVD; however, its effect on cognition has not been studied. The aim of the present study was to estimate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of the baseline Nordic diet with cognitive function at baseline and after a 4-year follow-up in a population-based random sample (n 1140 women and men, age 57-78 years) as secondary analyses of the Finnish Dose-Responses to Exercise Training study. The Nordic diet score was created based on reported dietary components in 4-d food records. Cognition was assessed by the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) neuropsychological battery and the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE). The baseline Nordic diet score had been positively associated with Verbal Fluency (β 0.08 (95% CI 0.00, 0.16), P = 0.039) and Word List Learning (β 0.06 (95% CI 0.01, 0.10), P = 0.022) at 4 years but not with the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease total score (CERAD-TS) or MMSE at 4 years, after adjustment for baseline cognitive scores, demographic factors and health-related factors. After excluding individuals with impaired cognition at baseline, the baseline Nordic diet score had also been positively associated with the CERAD-TS (β 0.10 (95% CI 0.00, 0.20), P = 0.042) and MMSE (β 0.03 (95% CI 0.00, 0.06), P = 0.039) at 4 years. These associations disappeared after further adjustment for energy intake. In conclusion, the Nordic diet might have a positive association with cognition in individuals with normal cognition.

An Overview on the Associations between Health Behaviors and Brain Health in Children and Adolescents with Special Reference to Diet Quality

“…Previous studies have provided some evidence that a lower intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) [22,23], a higher intake of saturated fat [24,25], a lower consumption of vegetables and fish [22,23], and a poor adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and the Nordic diet [26][27][28][29] may increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease among adults and older adults. Similarly, increased cardiometabolic risk has been linked to an increased risk of dementia in older adults [30].…”

Healthy Nordic diet and risk of disease death among men: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study

“…The dotted vertical lines correspond to the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile of the healthy Nordic diet score These different versions of a healthy Nordic diet have had beneficial associations with several disease risk factors, such as hypertension [8], abdominal obesity and weight gain [5,10,25], inflammation [7] and serum lipids [9], although one study reported an association with decreased HDL cholesterol [26]. Higher adherence to a healthy Nordic diet has also been associated with lower risk of colorectal cancer in women [12], better cognition [27], greater muscle strength and physical capacity in old age [6,28], and with reduced risk of myocardial infarction [15,16], stroke [17], total mortality [11,13,14] and type 2 diabetes [19], although some studies have observed no association with risk of type 2 diabetes [18] or cardiovascular disease [29]. Overall, however, a higher adherence to a healthy Nordic diet appears to be associated with beneficial health outcomes, and our current findings add to the knowledge of the potential health benefits.…”

Análise e comparação das funções cognitivas dos participantes do estudo Advento praticantes dos diferentes tipos de dieta

“…(26) A dieta é caracterizada por consumo abundante de vegetais, frutas vermelhas e frutas em geral, peixes e produtos derivados de grãos integrais, bem como consumo baixo a moderado de carne e de álcool, sendo que a principal fonte recomendada de gordura é o óleo de canola. (27) A DMB é rica em compostos como polifenóis e antioxidantes, e os grãos tipicamente utilizados nessa região para a confecção de pães e mingaus, como o centeio, a aveia e a cevada, são ricos em fibras. Além disso, o óleo de canola é fonte de ácidos graxos insaturados.…”

“…Além disso, o óleo de canola é fonte de ácidos graxos insaturados. (27) Devido a estas características, a adesão à DMB, também conhecida como Dieta Nórdica, tem sido associada à presença reduzida de fatores de risco cardiovascular, (28,29) bem como a um melhor desempenho cognitivo em indivíduos sem perda cognitiva. (27) No que diz respeito à dieta vegetariana, ela é definida como uma dieta que não inclui a ingestão de carne (inclusive frango) ou frutos do mar, nem alimentos contendo esses produtos.…”

“…Como exemplo disso, um alto consumo de vitamina C pode proteger contra o comprometimento cognitivo e a DCE, enquanto que uma baixa ingestão de vitamina C pode associarse a um pior desempenho cognitivo em idosos. (53) O (57) As funções cognitivas dos participantes do estudo "Dose-response to (27) Por outro lado, o estudo "Mediterranean diet for cognitive function and cardiovascular health in the elderly" (MedLey), um ensaio clínico realizado com uma amostra de 137 idosos, cuja intervenção foi o consumo da DMd durante 6 meses e cujo acompanhamento se estendeu por 18 meses, não observou efeitos benéficos da intervenção proposta sobre o funcionamento cognitivo de sua amostra de idosos saudáveis. (58) Já uma revisão sistemática sobre o tema, apesar de certa controvérsia e falha metodológica nos estudos analisados, observou que muitos sinalizavam a existência de uma associação entre a suplementação de antioxidantes e a proteção contra a perda cognitiva e contra o desenvolvimento de demência.…”