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Review
. 2021 May 10;22(9):5026.
doi: 10.3390/ijms22095026.

In Pursuit of Healthy Aging: Effects of Nutrition on Brain Function

Thayza Martins Melzer  1 , Luana Meller Manosso  2 , Suk-Yu Yau  3 , Joana Gil-Mohapel  4   5 , Patricia S Brocardo  1
Affiliations
Review

In Pursuit of Healthy Aging: Effects of Nutrition on Brain Function

Thayza Martins Melzer et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Consuming a balanced, nutritious diet is important for maintaining health, especially as individuals age. Several studies suggest that consuming a diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components such as those found in fruits, nuts, vegetables, and fish may reduce age-related cognitive decline and the risk of developing various neurodegenerative diseases. Numerous studies have been published over the last decade focusing on nutrition and how this impacts health. The main objective of the current article is to review the data linking the role of diet and nutrition with aging and age-related cognitive decline. Specifically, we discuss the roles of micronutrients and macronutrients and provide an overview of how the gut microbiota-gut-brain axis and nutrition impact brain function in general and cognitive processes in particular during aging. We propose that dietary interventions designed to optimize the levels of macro and micronutrients and maximize the functioning of the microbiota-gut-brain axis can be of therapeutic value for improving cognitive functioning, particularly during aging.

Keywords: aging; cognition; macronutrients; microbiota-gut-brain axis; micronutrients; neurodegeneration; nutrition.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The contribution of individual macronutrients to brain health and cognitive function. Source: Author’s own work.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Main micronutrients and their sources and functions. Source: Author’s own work.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The contribution of diets to brain health during aging. Source: Author’s own work.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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