Nutrition and Healthy Aging - Volume 8, issue 1

Authors: Rauchmann, Boris-Stephan | Gross, Patrizia | Ersoezlue, Ersin | Wagner, Michael | Ballarini, Tommaso | Kurz, Carolin | Tatò, Maia | Utecht, Julia | Papazov, Boris | Guersel, Selim | Totzke, Marie | Trappmann, Lena | Burow, Lena | Koller, Gabriele | Stöcklein, Sophia | Keeser, Daniel | Altenstein, Slawek | Bartels, Claudia | Buerger, Katharina | Dechent, Peter | Dobisch, Laura | Ewers, Michael | Fliessbach, Klaus | Freiesleben, Silka Dawn | Glanz, Wenzel | Goeerss, Doreen | Gref, Daria | Haynes, John Dylan | Janowitz, Daniel | Kilimann, Ingo | Kimmich, Okka | Kleineidam, Luca | Laske, Christoph | Lohse, Andrea | Maier, Franziska | Metzger, Coraline D. | Munk, Matthias H. | Peters, Oliver | Preis, Lukas | Priller, Josef | Roeske, Sandra | Roy, Nina | Sanzenbacher, Carolin | Scheffler, Klaus | Schneider, Anja | Schott, Björn Hendrik | Spottke, Annika | Spruth, Eike Jakob | Teipel, Stefan | van Lent, Debora Melo | Wiltfang, Jens | Wolfsgruber, Steffen | Yakupov, Renat | Düzel, Emrah | Jessen, Frank | Perneczky, Robert

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is evidence that adherence to Mediterranean-like diet reduces cognitive decline and brain atrophy in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, lengthy dietary assessments, such as food frequency questionnaires (FFQs), discourage more frequent use. OBJECTIVE: Here we aimed to validate a 6-items short questionnaire for a Mediterranean-like diet (6-QMD) and explore its associations with memory performance and hippocampal atrophy in healthy elders and individuals at risk for AD. METHODS: We analyzed 938 participants (N = 234 healthy controls and N = 704 participants with an increased AD risk) from the DZNE-Longitudinal Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Study (DELCODE). The 6-QMD was validated …against the Mediterranean Diet (MeDi) score and the Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) score, both derived from a detailed FFQ. Furthermore, associations between the 6-QMD and memory function as well as hippocampal atrophy were evaluated using linear regressions. RESULTS: The 6-QMD was moderately associated with the FFQ-derived MeDi adherence score (ρ = 0.25, p  < 0.001) and the MIND score (ρ = 0.37, p = < 0.001). Higher fish and olive oil consumption and lower meat and sausage consumption showed significant associations in a linear regression, adjusted for diagnosis, age, sex and education, with memory function (β = 0.1, p  = 0.008) and bilateral hippocampal volumes (left: β = 0.15, p  < 0.001); (right: β = 0.18, p  < 0.001)). CONCLUSIONS: The 6-QMD is a useful and valid brief tool to assess the adherence to MeDi and MIND diets, capturing associations with memory function and brain atrophy in healthy elders and individuals at increased AD dementia risk, making it a valid alternative in settings with time constraints. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-220190

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 143-156, 2023

Authors: Almer, Gunter | Semeraro, Maria Donatella | Meinitzer, Andreas | Enko, Dietmar | Rodriguez Blanco, Giovanny | Gallé, Birgit | Horvath, Angela | Moissl-Eichinger, Christine | Till, Holger | Gruber, Hans-Jürgen | Herrmann, Markus

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUD: Trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) represents a gut metabolite and it's physiological concentration is proposed to be influenced by the abundance of precursor trimethylamine (TMA)-producing microbiota in the gut. OBJECTIVE: Lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, modify the microbiome, but their long-term impact on plasma TMAO and TMA production in the gut is poorly understood. METHODS: Fecal microbiome composition was analyzed and correlated with TMAO serum concentrations in female Sprague-Dawley rats that received either a healthy normal or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 months. Half of the animals performed regular running exercise, the other half …served as sedentary controls. RESULTS: HFD consumption induced an alteration of the fecal microbiome with increased alpha diversity on ASV levels. More importantly, HFD reduced the abundance of genera containing potential TMA producers, such as certain members of Clostridia and Lachnospiraceae . In line with this observation, serum TMAO concentrations were found to be lower with HFD and to correlate with the abundance of these genera. Regular exercise also induced changes in microbiome beta diversity but had no effect on serum TMAO in female rats. CONCLUSION: A diet containing high amounts of dietary fat reduced serum TMAO, probably through a reduced intestinal abundance of TMA-producing bacteria. In contrast, regular exercise altered beta diversity of the microbiome composition, but without significant effects on serum TMAO concentrations. Show more

Keywords: TMAO, microbiome, high-fat diet, exercise, long-term intervention

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-220198

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 157-170, 2023

Authors: Hiol, Anne N. | von Hurst, Pamela R. | Conlon, Cathryn A. | Mumme, Karen D. | Beck, Kathryn L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: To maximally stimulate muscle protein synthesis (MPS), older adults should consume≥1.2 g/kg body weight (BW) of high-quality protein, evenly distributed across the day ( 0.4 g/kg BW per meal). OBJECTIVES: To investigate protein intake, distribution, and sources in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Data (including a 4-day food record) were obtained from the Researching Eating, Activity, and Cognitive Health (REACH) study, a cross-sectional study in adults aged 65 to 74 years. RESULTS: Participants (n = 327, 65.4% female) had a median daily protein intake of 1.16 g/kg BW (males) and 1.09 g/kg BW (females). Over half of …participants consumed less than 1.2 g protein/kg BW/day (62% females, 57% males). Protein intake was unevenly distributed throughout the day (CV = 0.48 for males and females) and was inadequate for reaching 0.4 g/kg BW/meal at breakfast and at the mid-day meal (males only). The main sources of protein at breakfast were milk (28%), breakfast cereals (22%), and bread (12%); at the mid-day meal, bread (18%), cheese (10%) and milk (9%); and at the evening meal, meat provided over half the protein (56%). CONCLUSIONS: Protein intake for a high proportion of older adults was less than 1.2 g/kg BW/day, and unevenly distributed through the day. Protein was obtained mainly from cereals and dairy products at breakfast and the mid-day meal, and meat sources at the evening meal. Show more

Keywords: Aging, muscle protein synthesis, protein intake, protein sources, protein distribution

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-220176

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 171-181, 2023

Authors: Harner, Amanda E. | Root, Martin M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Increase in dementias globally is a burden to patients, caregivers, the healthcare system, and the communities in which they live. Understanding nutritional patterns and how they may impact the prevention of these conditions will be critical moving forward. The known impact of minerals such as potassium and magnesium on conditions such as hypertension, oxidative stress, and inflammation – all of which directly impact cognitive health – warrant further study as to their potential direct effects on cognitive function. OBJECTIVE: To determine if low potassium and magnesium blood levels and dietary intakes are associated with cognitive decline in …middle-aged adults over a 6-year span. METHODS: Linear regression models were used to describe the associations between potassium and magnesium intakes and cognitive function scores of participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC) dataset over 6 years of follow up. Associations with blood values were also assessed. Variables controlled for included total HEI score, a measure of dietary quality. 9,044 participants were included. All linear regression models were run with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Levels of blood potassium and magnesium, in univariate as well as in multivariate analysis were found to have no significant association with cognitive decline. Likewise, intake levels of both minerals were shown to have no significant association with cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS: In 9,044 participants, ages 44 to 66, potassium and magnesium intake and blood serum levels were found to have no significant association with cognitive decline in fully controlled models over 6 years in the ARIC cohort. Show more

Keywords: Potassium, magnesium, cognitive decline, middle aged, dementia, diet, minerals

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-220185

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 183-191, 2023

Authors: Singsai, Kanathip | Srisuwan, Supawadee | Charoongchit, Pimchanok | Singkhum, Nopphakarn

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis ) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. The red aril of Gac fruit contains high concentrations of carotenoids, including lycopene and beta-carotene. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Gac fruit aril extract on locomotor activities in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced zebrafish model and measure antioxidant enzyme activities in the zebrafish brain. METHODS: This study used adult male zebrafish (Danio rerio ) as an animal model. MPTP was used as a toxin to induce movement dysfunction in zebrafish, while the standard drug selegiline acted as a monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor. Locomotion was …recorded on day 7 after MPTP induction using a digital video tracking system, and parameters related to zebrafish swimming, including total distance, velocity, and immobility, were observed. The brain tissue of the zebrafish was collected for antioxidant enzyme activity analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that Gac fruit extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg improved locomotor functions in MPTP-induced Parkinsonism in zebrafish. However, antioxidant enzyme activities, such as catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, in the zebrafish brain showed no significant differences among all groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide insights into the further research of Gac fruit extract as a nutraceutical for preventing Parkinson’s disease. Show more

Keywords: Gac fruit, Momordica cochinchinensis, locomotor function, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), zebrafish, Parkinson’s disease, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-231506

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 193-200, 2023

Authors: Moirano, Marina | Sgaravatti, Aldo | Massa, Fernando | Fajardo, Gabriela | Riverón, Noelia | Sena, Geraldine | Simoncelli, Mariana | Sanchez, Florencia | Guevara, Natalia | Vazquez, Marta | Maldonado, Cecilia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Frailty is a clinical-biological syndrome in older adults that carries an increased risk for poor health outcomes. Biomarkers of disability are being studied and some acylcarnitines and amino acids are part of the predictive models. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the status of L-carnitine, some acylcarnitines and amino acids and relate them to frailty, sarcopenia and diet in a community-dwelling Uruguayan older population. METHODS: Participants were enrolled and assessed through a multi-step process, that included frailty and sarcopenia criteria. L-carnitine, its acyl derivatives and amino acids were determined in blood by LC-MS/MS and dietary …intake by a 24-h recall and a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty-three older adults were enrolled, and 54 completed the initial assessment. Pre-frailty criteria were fulfilled by 41 participants and frailty only by one. No nutritional indicators of undernutrition were found. Probable sarcopenia was found in 20 cases. Males consumed more total meat and red meat than women. Hexanoylcarnitine levels were higher in pre-frail/frail individuals and in weak ones. Analysis by sex showed a distinct pattern between gender, being significant only for weak females. Methionine also showed some differences between sexes. Weak males presented significantly higher levels of methionine, whereas weak females showed significantly lower ones. CONCLUSIONS: No associations were found for diet components and L-carnitine, acylcarnitines and amino acids values, except for the percentage of animal protein that was higher in weak males. The clinical impact of these results needs further investigation. Show more

Keywords: Sarcopenia, frailty, diet, carnitine, methionine, elderly

DOI: 10.3233/NHA-220186

Citation: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 201-210, 2023