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Association Between Cognitive Changes and Eating Habits in Older Individuals

Research Article | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2692-9562/081

Association Between Cognitive Changes and Eating Habits in Older Individuals

  • Laura Faustino Gonçalves 1
  • Karina Mary de Paiva 2
  • Luciana Berwanger Cigana 3
  • Raquel Caroline Ferreira Lopes Fontanelli 4
  • Marcos José Machado 5
  • Anna Quialheiro Abreu da Silva 6
  • Patrícia Haas 7*

1 Speech therapist. Federal University of Santa Catarina. 

2 Ph.D. Professor of the Speech Therapy Course at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. 

3 Speech Therapist from the Federal University of Santa Maria – UFSM and Technical Manager in the Hearing Health Program at Instituto Otovida. 

4 Ph.D.  Dr Speech Therapy.

5 Ph.D. Professor of the Pharmacy Course at the Federal University of Santa Catarina - UFSC; Department of Clinical Analysis.

6 Ph.D Professor of Physiotherapy at the Polytechnic Institute of Health of the North – CESPU - Portugal. 

7 Ph.D. Professor of the Speech Therapy Course at the Federal University of Santa Catarina.

*Corresponding Author: Patrícia Haas, Ph.D. Professor of the Speech Therapy Course at the Federal University of Santa Catarina.

Citation: Luciana B. Cigana., Ferreira Lopes Fontanelli RC., Marcos J. Machado., Abreu da Silva AQ., Patrícia Haas, et alL (2023), Association Between Cognitive Changes And Eating Habits In Older Individuals, J Clinical Otorhinolaryngology, 5(3); DOI:10.31579/2692-9562/081

Copyright: © 2023, Patrícia Haas. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Received: 21 February 2023 | Accepted: 14 March 2023 | Published: 22 March 2023

Keywords: food; diet; and nutrition; health promotion; healthy aging; neurocognitive disorders; cognition

Abstract

Objective:To verify the association between eating habits and cognitive changes in the older population. Methods: A cross-sectional study with data analysis of older patients treated in an Outpatient Hearing Health Service (SASA, in Portuguese) accredited to the Unified Health System from May 2021 to July 2022. The research consisted of older individuals aged 60 years or older who attended the Outpatient Hearing Health Service for evaluation and performance of the Tonal and Vocal Audiometry exam and began the hearing rehabilitation process using the Individual Sound Amplification Device. 

Result: Healthy dietary patterns, specific foods, and dietary supplements can improve memory, language, attention and concentration, executive functions, and other cognitive domains. Participants with a higher consumption of foods considered healthy and not industrialized presented more positive results than those with a lower consumption of these foods. 

Conclusion:High diet quality and diverse vegetable consumption are associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline in older individuals. In addition, individuals with dietary changes in middle age are less likely to acquire cognitive changes in the future. 

Introduction

Cognitive changes are one of the most worrying health conditions for patients and health professionals. Preventing or even delaying their onset would significantly reduce the burden of many diseases [1]. Projections show that the number of people worldwide with some cognitive impairment will increase to about 152 million by 2050 [2]. Lifestyle adjustment can be essential for preventing cognitive decline in the absence of a pharmacological or disease-modifying agent [1,3,4].

The progressive decline in cognitive functions causes memory loss and motor impairment, negatively affecting older individuals' quality of life (QOL) and preventing them from making important decisions in their daily activities (DA). Genetic factors, environmental toxicants, socioeconomic conditions, oxidative stress, and neuronal inflammation are precursors for the onset of age-related chronic brain diseases [5].  

Oxidative stress, known as an imbalance in the production of reactive oxygen species and the biological antioxidant defense system, increases over time, representing a significant risk factor for age-associated cognitive decline [6,7].  The World Health Organization [8], suggests that dietary modifications as one of the lifestyle interventions can reduce the risk of developing cognitive decline or dementia. The ketogenic [1] and Mediterranean diets [9,10] are the most discussed among many dietary approaches proposed to improve brain health.

Bidirectional communication between the microbial organisms that inhabit the gut (gut microbiota) and the brain occurs through several pathways, including the vagus nerve (VN), immune system, and bacteria-derived neuroendocrine pathways. The microbiota-gut-brain axis is involved in neurodegeneration, thus affecting several aspects of health related to energy metabolism, the immune system, and neuronal function. Numerous factors have been highlighted to influence gut microbiota composition, including diet composition and nutritional status. Optimal nutritional status and healthy gut microbiota are crucial to maintaining brain health. Unbalanced dietary patterns can affect the microbial community and compromise brain physiology and its predisposition to neurodegenerative diseases [11].

Thus, this study aimed to verify the association between age-related cognitive status and eating habits in the older population. 

Material and Methods

Ethical Aspects

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CEP): CAAE: 39562720.8.0000.012.

Database: This is a cross-sectional study with data analysis of older patients treated in an Outpatient Hearing Health Service (SASA, in Portuguese) accredited to the Unified Health System from May 2021 to July 2022. The vulnerability indicators of older individuals were analyzed, and the type and degree of hearing loss proposed by the World Health Organization [8] were classified to evaluate the protocol application quality. The inclusion criteria were older individuals aged 60 years or older who attended the SASA to assess and perform the Tonal and Vocal Audiometry exam and begin the hearing rehabilitation process from the Individual Sound Amplification Device (ISAD). 

Data collection: Sociodemographic information (gender, age, education, income) was collected to characterize the population. The variables were analyzed in female or male, income in minimum wages, and illiterate, elementary, high school, or higher education schooling. The dietary habits were evaluated through the Qualitative Assessment Protocol of the Diet of Older Individuals based on the Dietary Guide for the Brazilian Population. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) protocol [12] was used to evaluate the cognitive state by assessing overall cognition in various domains, such as Visuospatial/Executive, Naming, Memory, Attention, Language, Abstraction, Delayed Recall, and Orientation (for time and place). 

Data analysis: The categorical variables of the study population were described using a comparative analysis of nonparametric data using the Mann-Whitney test for independent groups. Subsequently, the data regarding sociodemographic information, eating habits, and cognitive status were organized in spreadsheets of the Microsoft ExcelⓇ program and exported and analyzed in the MedCalc® Statistical Software, version 20.027 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). 

Results

The study population comprised 654 older participants, 48.3% male and 51.6

Discussion

Diet represents a possible preventive measure against cognitive impairment. The cumulative effects of dietary components and variety on cognitive function may differ from that of a single nutrient or food item because meals contain complex combinations of nutrients. As a quick, easy-to-use, and cost-effective tool, food diversity is widely used to assess the quality of food and general diet. This tool can provide an overall assessment of eating behavior, evaluate the effect of multiple food items on health simultaneously, and facilitate a more comprehensive approach to disease control and prevention [4].

The population was represented by older individuals aged between 60 and 97 years, 48.3% male and 51.6

References

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