Diabetes Health in The News: Diet and Dementia May Be Linked

Columbia University researchers have found that dementia and diet may be linked. A certain diet may be linked to inflammation as indicated by specific blood markers. The study also noted that the elderly who ate this specific diet had worse visuospatial cognitive functions and had less gray matter in their brains. This survey featured 330 elderly patients. They had an MRI scan, completed a dietary survey, and had their biomarkers for inflammation noted. Overall,

This diet contained little omega 3, calcium, and key vitamins including Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Vitamin B2, and Vitamin B5. Without these vitamins and minerals, more biomarkers indicating inflammation were present. A diet that contains these vitamins and minerals was more likely to have fewer inflammation biomarkers, leading to a lower risk of dementia.

This study builds upon previous studies examining a look between chronic inflammation and dementia. It is, though, the first to look at brain inflammation and diet. The study indicated a positive connection between inflammation, dietary patterns, and dementia.

These findings were published in Medscape Medical News on July 17, 2017.