LINCOLN, Neb. – Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior have conducted a groundbreaking study on the link between specific nutrients and healthy brain aging. Their findings, published in the journal Nature Aging, shed light on the critical role of nutrition in promoting brain health and slowing cognitive decline.
The study, led by Aron Barbey, director of the Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior, involved a unique approach that combined cutting-edge innovations in neuroscience and nutritional science. By analyzing blood biomarkers in 100 cognitively healthy participants aged 65-75, the researchers identified a specific nutrient profile associated with slower brain aging and better cognitive performance.
Participants with a nutrient profile resembling that of the Mediterranean diet, rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, carotenoids, vitamin E, and choline, demonstrated slower brain aging. These findings align with previous research highlighting the positive impact of the Mediterranean diet on brain health.
Barbey emphasized the importance of this study’s comprehensive approach, which integrated data on nutrition, cognitive function, and brain imaging. By directly linking brain structure, function, metabolism, and cognitive abilities to diet and nutrition, the researchers provided valuable insights into the relationship between nutrient biomarkers and healthy brain aging.
Moving forward, the researchers plan to conduct randomized controlled trials to further investigate the impact of specific nutrients on cognitive function and brain health. By isolating and administering these nutrients as nutraceuticals, they aim to assess their effects on cognitive test performance, brain structure, function, and metabolism.
Barbey’s work extends beyond this study, as he is co-editing a special collection for the Journal of Nutrition on “Nutrition and the Brain.” The collection aims to explore pathways to optimal brain health through nutrition and invites submissions for publication starting next year.
The National Institutes of Health’s ten-year strategic plan to accelerate nutrition research aligns with the goals of Barbey’s work, which seeks to provide valuable insights into how dietary patterns influence brain health and cognitive function. Overall, this study represents a significant contribution to the field of brain aging and nutrition, offering hope for future interventions to promote healthy brain aging.