Latest news with #cognitiveDecline
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
5 Simple Ways to Keep Your Brain Sharp Every Day
The human brain is a tricky thing. As we age, we prepare ourselves for the inevitable decline in our memory and overall cognitive function. This gradual shift is a normal, age-related change, says clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Judy Ho. 'But when we start to forget appointments constantly, repeat the same questions within a short period of time because you can't retain information you just learned or heard a few minutes ago, struggle persistently with everyday tasks that used to feel routine, or have greater difficulty maintaining focus than we ever have before, those can be signs of cognitive decline that might not be normative and might warrant a closer look.' Despite the inevitable changes that come with age, however, there are simple practices we can add to our routines to keep our brains sharp every single day—starting Lakelyn Eichenberger, PhD, gerontologist and caregiving advocate at Home Instead, an Honor Company Dr. Judy Ho, clinical and forensic neuropsychologist and professor of psychology at Pepperdine University'Stay physically active and engage in regular movement,' says gerontologist Dr. Lakelyn Eichenberger, PhD. 'Getting blood flowing is great for our brain health and can improve both mood and cognition. Pick an activity you enjoy, such as a daily walk or even dancing.' You've likely heard over and over that daily movement can do wonders for your physical and emotional well-being—that includes your brain, too. Finding one physical activity you actually enjoy will give you something to look forward to at the beginning or end of a busy day. 'During deep sleep, our brain clears out waste and consolidates memory,' Dr. Ho says. 'Poor sleep can mimic or worsen cognitive issues. Prioritizing quality sleep by having a nighttime routine or doing some reflective activities before bed can help you to unwind and allow your brain to go into a restorative phase, which encourages better quality sleep.' You can even consider doing some reading, journaling, or gentle stretches; the key is to avoid using your phone, as blue light can interfere with deep sleep. If you're a fan of The New York Times' Crossword or Wordle, you're already on the right track to boost your brain health. 'Whether it's a new language, musical instrument, or crossword puzzle habit, challenging your brain builds cognitive reserve—essentially a buffer against decline,' Dr. Ho says. 'Bonus points if you challenge yourself in an area that you aren't already accomplished at—really giving your brain a workout! This helps it to build new connections and stimulates areas of your brain that might not have as much routine stimulation from the activities you usually do.' Friendship is more than just a reminder that we're not alone—it's actually beneficial to your overall health. 'Conversation and connection stimulate the brain and reduce feelings of isolation,' Dr. Eichenberger says. Dr. Ho echoes this notion, adding that 'having regular, meaningful interactions with others helps protect against memory loss and depression.' And it doesn't mean you have to see your friends every single day. Consider calling a friend on the weekends, grabbing a quick coffee during your lunch break, or going on a short walk together, Dr. Ho suggests. These small, intentional moments have bigger payoffs than you might think. Nourishing your body also includes nourishing every organ, including the brain. 'Diets which emphasize leafy greens, berries, whole grains, and healthy fats support long-term brain function,' Dr. Ho says. 'Leafy greens are rich in folate and vitamin K, which support brain cell function. Berries are packed with antioxidants and help to reduce oxidative stress. Fatty fish are high in omega-3s, which are essential for reducing brain inflammation. Nuts contain alpha-linolenic acid and help to reduce cognitive decline. Whole grains regulate blood sugar and provide steady fuel for the brain. Olive oil is a great source of monounsaturated fats and supports healthy blood vessels. Dark chocolate in moderation contains flavonoids that may enhance blood flow to the brain.' This also covers everything from sweet to salty, so you don't have to cut out your favorite desserts. Read the original article on Real Simple
Medical News Today
17 hours ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
Insulin resistance test may help predict early Alzheimer's cognitive decline rate
There is currently no tool for predicting how quickly early stage Alzheimer's disease will progress. A new study has identified a simple blood test used to measure insulin resistance that may also help doctors determine which people with early stage Alzheimer's disease are most likely to experience rapid cognitive decline. The test found that higher insulin resistance indicated quicker deterioration in cognitive estimate that about 69 million people around the world are living with prodromal Alzheimer's disease, or early stage Alzheimer's disease. People in the earliest stage of Alzheimer's disease begin to experience some mild cognitive impairment that may affect their memory and ability to complete tasks and communicate. Past studies show that detecting Alzheimer's disease in its earliest stage allows currently available medications and lifestyle changes to be more effective in helping to slow down disease progression. 'Alzheimer's (disease) begins silently, often decades before symptoms appear, and so detecting risk early is essential to slow or alter the disease course,' Bianca Gumina, MD, a neurology resident for the Neurology Unit in the Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences at the University of Brescia and for the Neurology Unit in the Department of Continuity of Care and Frailty at ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, both in Italy, told Medical News Today. 'Current tools can diagnose the disease, but they don't always predict how fast it will progress. Identifying individuals at higher risk of rapid decline [c]ould allow for timely, targeted interventions during a critical window when the disease could be still responsive to treatment or changes in (lifestyle),' she is part of the research team for a study recently presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2025 that has identified a simple blood test used to measure insulin resistance that may also help doctors determine which people with early stage Alzheimer's disease are most likely to experience rapid cognitive decline. The findings of the study are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed TyG Index Test for Alzheimer'sFor this study, researchers analyzed medical records from 315 adults with an average age of about 70 that did not have diabetes. Two hundred of the study participants had received biological confirmation they had Alzheimer's disease. All study participants received insulin resistance assessment using a test called the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, with a clinical follow-up three years later. 'The TyG index is a validated marker of insulin resistance, a condition often seen in prediabetes or metabolic syndrome,' Gumina explained. 'It combines triglycerides and fasting blood glucose, two common and non-invasive blood values. (It is) easy to calculate and already available in routine labs.' Higher TyG index results predict quicker cognitive declineAt the study's conclusion, the research team found that when grouping study participants by their TyG index results, those in the highest TyG index group experienced a quicker deterioration in cognitive decline than those with lower TyG index results. 4-fold higher risk'This finding is significant because it highlights a vulnerable window (mild cognitive impairment, the early phase of the disease) when the disease may be especially sensitive to metabolic stress. Patients in this early phase with high TyG levels had a fourfold increased risk of rapid cognitive decline compared to those with lower TyG levels. This suggests that insulin resistance may actively influence how fast Alzheimer's progresses, and identifying this risk early could open new avenues for intervention.'— Bianca Gumina, MD'The TyG index is a low-cost, widely available tool that could be easily integrated into routine clinical practice to flag patients at higher risk of rapid decline,' she continued. 'By identifying these individuals early, clinicians could prioritize them for closer monitoring, lifestyle interventions, or even enrollment in clinical trials, maybe individualizing sub phenotypes of the disease. It also supports the development of metabolic-based treatment strategies, potentially paving the way for therapies targeting insulin resistance to modify disease progression.'As for the next steps in this research, Gumina said the research group is currently exploring whether the TyG index also correlates with neuroimaging biomarkers of brain degeneration. 'The next goal is to integrate metabolic profiling with genetic and imaging data to refine risk models and guide early, personalized interventions,' she added. New potential variable for Alzheimer's progression predictionsMNT spoke with Rehan Aziz, MD, geriatric psychiatrist at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, about this study. Aziz commented that he thought this was a very interesting study involving a new variable to consider when working with patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's dementia, especially as it may predict who is likely to decline faster.'Accurate progression prediction is crucial for multiple reasons,' he explained. 'It empowers families to make informed decisions about care planning, financial arrangements, and how to prioritize quality time together. Clinically, it helps us identify patients who need more intensive monitoring and earlier intervention.''With new disease-modifying treatments like aducanumab and lecanemab becoming available — treatments that carry real risks including brain swelling and bleeding — we urgently need better ways to identify which patients are most likely to benefit from aggressive treatment versus those who might have slower progression,' Aziz continued.'This metabolic marker could help us personalize the risk-benefit calculation for each patient, ensuring we're offering these powerful but potentially risky therapies to those who need them most while protecting slower-progressing patients from unnecessary exposure.'— Rehan Aziz, MDAziz said he'd like to see this study's results validated in larger populations. 'We also need longer follow-up studies to see if this predictive power holds over five to 10 years,' he continued. 'I'm particularly interested in whether interventions targeting insulin resistance — like lifestyle modifications or medications like metformin — could actually slow progression in high-TyG patients. Finally, I'd like to see this integrated with other biomarkers to create a more comprehensive risk stratification tool.' More information on how Alzheimer's progressesMNT also spoke with Peter Gliebus, MD, director of cognitive and behavioral neurology at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, about this commented that he found the study both fascinating and highly applicable to daily clinical practice. 'As clinicians, we frequently encounter questions from patients and their families, such as, 'How quickly will it worsen?'— and we often don't have a definitive answer,' he explained. 'The prospect that a simple, cost-effective marker like the TyG index could predict progression in Alzheimer's disease is extremely encouraging. It has the potential to bridge an important gap between diagnosis and practical prognosis, which has been a missing element in this field,' he said.'Early-stage Alzheimer's, especially during the mild cognitive impairment stage, exhibits significant variability-some individuals remain stable for years, while others decline rapidly. Identifying those at higher risk of swift decline enables us to customize clinical care and research strategies. It also helps families set clearer expectations and facilitates early, potentially more effective interventions, whether through lifestyle changes, medications or future planning.' — Peter Gliebus, MD'As new treatments are developed, timing and patient stratification will be essential — tools like the TyG index may play a crucial role in that process,' he added.
Fox News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Credibility Crisis: Media scrutinized Trump's health, fitness in first term before turning blind eye on Biden
The cover-up of Joe Biden's cognitive decline is one of the biggest political scandals in recent history, erupting just over a year ago following his disastrous debate performance on June 27, 2024. Questions mostly among conservative critics about Biden's mental acuity began as early as 2019 when he ran in the Democratic presidential primary, but it wasn't until his ill-fated debate against Donald Trump last year that his decline became undeniable. And in recent weeks, between revelations from tell-all books, the release of the Hur tapes and his Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis, the scandal has only grown in scale. Yet during Trump's first term in office, the legacy media did not hesitate to opine on the president's health and fitness for office. The speculation about Trump's mental fitness began even before he was sworn into office. In November 2016, just days after Trump shocked the world with his election victory, The Atlantic's David Frum tweeted, "Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the Constitution. Article 4. We're all going to be talking a lot more about it in the months ahead." New York Times columnist Ross Douthat did just that in May 2017, penning a piece titled, "The 25th Amendment Solution for Removing Trump." CNN's Brian Stelter was an early media pioneer in questioning Trump's fitness. Following the violence in Charlottesville in August 2017, he claimed to viewers that chatter about the president's mental acuity filled newsrooms. "President Trump's actions and inactions in the wake of Charlottesville are provoking some uncomfortable conversations, mostly off the air, if we're being honest," Stelter began a monologue. "In discussions among friends and family and debates on social media, people are questioning the president's fitness, but these conversations are happening in newsrooms and TV studios as well… Questions like these: Is the president of the United States a racist? Is he suffering from some kind of illness? Is he fit for office? And if he's unfit, then what?" Then-Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson similarly declared, "It's time to talk about Trump's mental health." "I have spoken with people who have known Trump for decades and who say he has changed. He exhibits less self-awareness, these longtime acquaintances say, and less capacity for sustained focus. Indeed, it is instructive to compare television interviews of Trump recorded years ago with those conducted now. To this layman's eyes and ears, there seems to have been deterioration," Robinson wrote. Around the same time, MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell theorized that Trump's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner moved their family to Washington, D.C., after their father's inauguration because they were "worried about the old man." "The kids have been watching, especially in recent years, a decline in Donald Trump's executive function," O'Donnell told his liberal viewers. "What neurologists call executive function includes basic mental processes like attention control, cognitive inhibition, working memory, cognitive flexibility. A decline in executive function is the beginning of the process that eventually leads you to take the car keys away from Dad." "Having personally watched Donald Trump become increasingly incoherent over the last several years, my first assumption was the kids were going to Washington because they knew Dad is utterly incoherent much of the time, and forgetful, and inattentive." In November 2017, The Daily Beast was confident in diagnosing Trump with "narcissism" and "sociopathy," admitting its willingness to disregard the famed Goldwater Rule, the principle for psychiatrists to avoid diagnosing others without a proper examination and consent, writing that psychological experts told the outlet, "Trump's years of media output—books, television appearances, tweets, and more—made his case one that is jarringly different, and one in which the Goldwater Rule doesn't apply." USA Today published an op-ed in May 2017 penned by psychologist John Gartner, who diagnosed Trump with "malignant narcissism," writing, "If you take President Trump's words literally, you have no choice but to conclude that he is psychotic." "Some say it is unethical to dare to diagnose the president, but hundreds of mental health professionals have come together to found Duty to Warn," Gartner wrote, promoting his group. "We believe that just as we are ethically and legally obligated to break confidentiality to warn a potential victim of violence, our duty to warn the public trumps all other considerations." "More than 53,000 people have signed our petition, aimed at mental health professionals, stating Trump should be removed under the 25th Amendment because he is too mentally ill to competently serve," Gartner continued. Time Magazine also posed the question, "Should Doctors Speculate About the President's Mental Health?" "Morning Joe" co-host Joe Scarborough urged Trump's cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment in November 2017 over his "erratic behavior" as the president engaged in a tit-for-tat with North Korean Dictator Kim Jong Un. "If this is not what the 25th Amendment was drafted for- I would like the cabinet members serving America, not the president, serving America - You serve America and you know it!" Scarborough shouted. "You don't represent him! You represent 320 million people, whose lives are literally in your hands!… The people close to him during the campaign told me had early stages of dementia." "Now, listen, you can get mad at me if you want to, but it is OK to say. When are we supposed to say this, after the first nuclear missile goes?" Scarborough continued, before calling Trump a "mentally unstable president." CNN's Jake Tapper jumped on the bandwagon, sounding the alarm over Trump's tweet taunting the dictator, saying his "nuclear button" is "bigger." "None of this is normal, none of this acceptable, none of this, frankly, stable behavior," Tapper said in January 2018. Days later, then-White House physician Dr. Ronny Jackson was peppered with questions by reporters following Trump's physical exam, many of them probing the president's cognitive ability. "Can you assess the president's mental fitness for office?" NBC News correspondent Hallie Jackson asked. "Are you ruling out early on-set Alzheimer's? Are you looking at dementia-like symptoms?" then-ABC News correspondent Cecilia Vega pressed Jackson. "Is there anything you're keeping from us for privacy reasons?" then-CNN correspondent Jim Acosta asked. Following that briefing, CNN's chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta openly declared that Trump had "heart disease" based on Trump's high coronary calcium score from data released by Jackson, even though Trump's own physician never made such a diagnosis. "The president has heart disease. Those numbers qualify him for having heart disease, and he clearly needs a plan to try to prevent some sort of heart problem down the road," Gupta confidently told CNN viewers. Even before Trump's 2018 physical, Politico panned the White House for not giving him a cognitive exam, running the headline, "Is Trump mentally fit? Don't count on his physical to tell you." "If President Donald Trump were any other 71-year-old — covered by Medicare and having his annual wellness visit — he'd be checked on his cognitive functions and possible safety risks. But when the president goes for his physical exam Friday, the White House said his mental fitness won't be tested. And there's no guarantee that the public would find out the results of cognitive tests if Trump were to take them," Politico wrote. In January 2018, the media hyped allegations about Trump's mental acuity from Michael Wolff's book "Fire and Fury," which alleged White House staffers spoke with each other about the president's fitness to serve. It was at that time that Trump famously referred to himself as a "very stable genius" while combating the claims. "The tip toeing is over. The whispers are turning into shouts. President Trump's fitness for office is now the top story in the country," Stelter told "Reliable Sources" viewers. "Reporters and some lawmakers are openly talking about the president's mental stability, his health, his competency." "Many Americans are worried. And journalists need to cover that," Stelter urged his media colleagues. "Does it seem likely in any way that members of the GOP will take this seriously, will want to take a look at the president's mental fitness?" MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle asked. The Washington Post feasted on the Wolff news cycle with the headline, "The White House struggles to silence talk of Trump's mental fitness." CNN's website ran with "Trump defends his sanity amid questions about his mental state." CBS News similarly went with, "Trump defends mental fitness in wake of questions raised in new book." Frum of The Atlantic declared in April 2018 that Trump was "unfit to command" and linked his mental instability to national security. "This president is not in command of himself," Frum wrote, later adding, "The person nominally in charge is in no psychic state for his office. His condition is deteriorating—and with that personal deterioration, there also deteriorates America's security and standing in the world." In September 2018, on the same day The New York Times published the infamous anonymous op-ed where the author declared they were "part of the resistance inside the Trump administration" (it was later revealed to be mid-level DHS staffer Miles Taylor), NPR published a report, "What You Need To Know About The 25th Amendment," citing "Another surreal twist in the midst of another frenetic week," prompting questions about the law. Later that month, The New York Times published a bombshell story alleging then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein floated secretly recording Trump and discussed the 25th Amendment with others in the administration, something Rosenstein denied at the time. In February 2019, "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley of CBS News discussed what had allegedly transpired with the ousted Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, who said he had such discussions with Rosenstein. "As you're sitting in this meeting at the Justice Department talking about removing the president of the United States, you were thinking what?" Pelley asked. "How did I get here, confronting these confounding legal issues of such immense importance, not just to the FBI but to the entire country. It was... It was disorienting," McCabe responded. In November 2019, the media erupted over Trump's unscheduled visit to Walter Reed Medical Center as the White House was obscure with its public statements. It was later revealed to have been for a routine colonoscopy. "Trump's weekend hospital visit draws a skeptical reaction," wrote The Associated Press. Politico at the time declared that, "Yes, It's OK to Speculate on the President's Health." "Given the record of this White House, and the long history of presidential medical cover-ups, it's almost a responsibility," then-Politico writer Jack Shafer wrote. "You don't have to think that Trump was lying about his Saturday Walter Reed visit to insist that his health… should be a foundational issue in the 2020 campaign. Getting honest answers out of a politician about his or her health begins with asking the right questions. The right question to ask Trump is this: 'What explains your unusual visit to Walter Reed?'" The media also went wild speculating over Trump's health in June 2020 following his appearance at West Point, where he went viral for cautiously walking down a ramp and drinking a glass of water with both hands as he was speaking. New York Times star reporter Maggie Haberman authored the story, "Trump's Halting Walk Down Ramp Raises New Health Questions," telling readers, "President Trump faced new questions about his health on Sunday, after videos emerged of him gingerly walking down a ramp at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and having trouble bringing a glass of water to his mouth during a speech there." Haberman even cast doubt on Trump's claim that the ramp was "steep" and "very slippery," writing he "offered a description that did not match the visuals" and there "was no evidence that the ramp was slippery, and the skies were clear during the ceremony." "The president has frequently tried to raise questions about the health and mental fitness of his rivals, while growing indignant when his own is questioned," Haberman wrote. "Most recently, he and his allies have questioned the mental acuity of the presumptive Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who is 77." The Washington Post was equally skeptical of Trump with its headline, "Trump tries to explain his slow and unsteady walk down a ramp at West Point." "President Trump late Saturday tried to explain his slow and unsteady walk down a ramp at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, which had generated concern and mockery on social media, by claiming the walkway was 'very slippery' and that he was worried about falling," wrote Philip Rucker, one of The Post's top political journalists at the time. "Elements of Trump's explanation strained credulity. Trump's claim that the ramp had been 'very slippery' was inconsistent with the weather, which on Saturday in West Point, N.Y., was sunny and clear-skied. The grass plain on which the commencement took place was dry." A separate Post report juxtaposed concerns about Trump's health with Biden's with the headline, "As Trump casts Biden as 'sleepy Joe,' his critics raise questions about his own fitness." "For Trump, who has tried to cast his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, as 'sleepy' and mentally absent, the attacks over his own wellness appeared to hit close to home," The Post wrote. Both The Times and The Post elevated mockery of Trump by liberal late-night hosts. CNN and MSNBC went wall-to-wall with coverage of Trump's cautious walk down the ramp. "What's the matter with Donald Trump?" MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace asked a panelist with a slight grin. "Americans have every reason to question his health. Walking down a ramp, holding a rail, probably no issue. Now you know how it feels, don't you? What goes around, comes around," then-CNN anchor Don Lemon taunted Trump. Tapper took a swipe at Trump for "spending about 14 minutes talking about West Point and defending his wobbly walk down that ramp," while recapping the president's remarks from a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As Trump was being treated for COVID at Walter Reed Medical Center in October 2020, CBS News' Margaret Brennan pressed then-National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien on invoking the 25th Amendment during an exchange on "Face The Nation." "Have you and the team discussed a scenario in which at some point the president might have to transfer power if he can no longer discharge the powers and duties of his office?" Brennan asked. "No, that's not something that's on the table at this point," O'Brien responded. "But it may be as you just said," Brennan interjected before O'Brien touted Trump's recovery. Brennan wasn't alone. There was a flurry of reports speculating about the 25th Amendment being implemented during Trump's bout with COVID like ABC News' "What happens if Trump becomes incapacitated? The 25th Amendment could kick in," The Associated Press' "AP Explains: Transfer of power under 25th Amendment" and the liberal site Slate's, "The 25th Amendment Needs an Update." Media chatter over the 25th Amendment resurfaced months later following the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill, less than three weeks before Biden was sworn into office. CNN, ABC News and CNBC all reported that members of Trump's cabinet were having discussions about invoking the 25th Amendment, though it was never ultimately pursued. Fast-forward to 2025. Trump was sworn back into office after defeating Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, all of which followed Biden's dramatic exit from the race last July. After turning a blind eye for much of the Biden era regarding presidential health and wellness, the legacy media revived its intense scrutiny of Trump in the heat of the 2024 election. Last September, The Los Angeles Times speculated about Trump's "rhetorical walkabouts," suggesting it was a sign of "cognitive decline." CNN's Abby Philip argued there was a "double standard" regarding the lack of attention towards Trump's mental acuity. In October, PBS News Hour took aim at Trump's "rambling speeches," saying they "raise questions about mental decline." NBC News sounded the alarm over Trump's behavior at one campaign event with the story "Trump's bizarre music session reignites questions about his mental acuity," as did The New York Times with the headline "Trump's Speeches, Increasingly Angry and Rambling, Reignite the Question of Age." The Washington Post also asked, "How big a political problem is mental acuity for Trump?" The media continued speculating about Trump's health even throughout his second term. Last month, USA Today columnist Rex Huppke penned a piece titled "Is Trump in mental decline? He sounds far worse than Biden ever did." The Daily Beast ran the headline, "Trump Shows Signs of 'Cognitive Decline' Says Speech Expert." Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, the co-authors of the bombshell Biden book "Original Sin," have said during their book tour that one of the lessons learned in reporting on Biden's cognitive decline is for journalists to intensely pursue the truth about a president's health going forward, including Trump's. "This goes beyond Joe Biden. It should be relevant to Donald Trump and whoever comes after Donald Trump," Tapper said.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Just Connected These Foods with an 80% Lower Risk of Cognitive Decline
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RDA new study suggests eating more antioxidant-rich foods may lower cognitive decline risk by 80%. Participants who ate the most foods rich in vitamins, magnesium, zinc and selenium had the best outcomes. Nuts, leafy greens, berries, whole grains and more plant-based foods are great sources of you misplace your keys for the third time in a week or blank on a close friend's name, it's hard not to wonder: Is this normal aging—or something more? Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition marked by subtle but noticeable changes in memory and thinking. And it's surprisingly common among older adults. It affects nearly one third of people over age 65, and for many, it's an early warning sign of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Unlike normal age-related forgetfulness, mild cognitive impairment can make it harder to manage daily tasks and can progress into more serious cognitive decline. While there's still no cure for Alzheimer's or other dementias, researchers are zeroing in on strategies to help delay or prevent cognitive decline. Diet is one of the most promising—and controllable—factors. Many studies have suggested that antioxidant-rich foods may protect the brain, but questions remain: How much do they help? And what about other common habits, like drinking alcohol—does it cancel out any benefits? To explore these questions, researchers looked at the relationship between dietary antioxidants, alcohol consumption, and the risk of mild cognitive impairment in older adults. They recently published their findings in the journal Nutrients—and the results may inspire you to rethink what's on your plate and in your glass. Let's break down what they discovered. This was a cross-sectional study, meaning it looked at data from a single point in time rather than following participants over a period of years. Researchers gathered data from 1,084 adults aged 55 and older living in Zhejiang Province, China. Participants answered questions about their diet, lifestyle, alcohol consumption and health history. They completed a cognitive screening using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a widely used tool for detecting mild cognitive impairment. The researchers used a validated dietary questionnaire to calculate a Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) for each person. The CDAI is based on six key antioxidants: vitamins A, C and E, as well as magnesium, zinc and selenium. Participants were sorted into four groups based on their CDAI scores, from lowest to highest. The study found a clear pattern: people with higher antioxidant index scores had lower odds of having mild cognitive impairment—up to an 80% reduced risk. But these risk reduction benefits aren't for everybody across the board. When researchers looked at how alcohol and antioxidants interacted, they found that the protective effects of antioxidants were only statistically significant among people who didn't drink alcohol at all. In other words, drinking any alcohol seemed to cancel out some of the brain benefits of a high-antioxidant diet. And people who drank alcohol one to two times a week had more than double the odds of having mild cognitive impairment compared to non-drinkers. Keep in mind, because this was a cross-sectional study, it can only show associations—not cause and effect. The dietary data was also self-reported, and people aren't always 100% inaccurate when remembering what they ate. And while the study accounted for many factors that might influence brain health (like age, education and depression), it didn't account for the amount or type of alcohol consumed. These findings support what many nutrition experts have been saying for years: antioxidants help protect the brain and alcohol—despite the hype around red wine—may do more harm than good when it comes to cognitive health. To add more antioxidants to your diet, focus on getting a variety of colorful, whole, antioxidant-rich foods. Some great options include: Leafy greens (spinach, kale) for magnesium and vitamin E Berries and citrus fruits for vitamin C Carrots, sweet potatoes, and winter squash for vitamin A (especially sunflower seeds and almonds) for vitamin E and selenium for magnesium and zinc Instead of reaching for a glass of wine in hopes of getting antioxidants, reach for a fruit salad or a handful of nuts. Foods provide a broader mix of beneficial nutrients—and without the potential downsides of alcohol. Even small dietary upgrades can help. Try tossing sunflower seeds on your salad, snacking on oranges or blending spinach into a smoothie. If you're already eating some antioxidant-rich foods, think about how you can include even more variety. This study adds to a growing body of evidence that a diet rich in antioxidants can help protect your brain as you age—while regular alcohol consumption may increase your risk of cognitive decline. For a brain-healthy lifestyle, focus on eating more antioxidant-packed foods and avoiding alcohol. Your future self might thank you for it. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Neurologists discover new way to predict Alzheimer's decline
Research indicates that a simple blood test, the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, could identify Alzheimer's patients at a high risk of cognitive decline. Neurologists at the University of Brescia in Italy found that non-diabetic Alzheimer's patients with mild cognitive impairment and high TyG scores experienced cognitive decline four times faster. The TyG index, a readily available marker for insulin resistance, showed this link specifically in Alzheimer's patients, not in those with other neurodegenerative conditions. It is believed that insulin resistance impairs glucose uptake in the brain, contributing to inflammation and amyloid build-up, both linked to Alzheimer's progression. These findings could lead to earlier identification of high-risk Alzheimer's patients, allowing for more targeted clinical trials and interventions to improve insulin sensitivity.
