Inadequate nutrition and cognitive decline - Essay Example

YM Leyson For: Unidentified Inadequate Nutrition and Cognitive Decline 10 April, 2006 This study will dwell on the of age-related cognitive decline and nutrition as a contributing factor. The lecture will cover the normal and the non-normal aging process of individuals and in particular how nutrients add up to the neurological well-being of the elderly. The hypothesis in this discussion is that: nutritional imbalance is a resultant factor in cognitive decline. We shall review related studies and literature to support this hypothesis which aims to create awareness among all individuals to continue trying to find the nearest approach to cure and prevention of cognitive abnormalities. Introduction: As the human body tends to grow with age, a certain amount of memory decline is felt which includes the minute reductions or delay in thought processing. For others though, a magnitude of reduction beyond what may be considered "normal" and are relentlessly progressive, robbing individuals of their memories, intellect, and eventually their abilities to recognize close members of their families may concurrently result to a certain cognitive decline. The increasing risk of demented elderly adults created the idea of preventing or reversing neurological disorders associated with cognitive decline. The results of the clinical investigative studies revealed according to Amador(1998) the discovery of vitamin deficiencies causing neurological and psychiatric symptoms. Further, Amador added that the potentials of Vit.B(cobalamin) deficiency has been overlooked as a treatable cause of reversible dementia. Markle(1996)critically reviewed the alteration in thought processes associated with Vit. B deficiencies and discovered several causes that contribute its loss in the bodies among elderly patients. Quadri et al(2004)further added elevated homocysteine concentration results to folate deficiency that aggravates the early risk factor for cognitive decline in elderly individuals. However Under Wright's(2000) free-radical theory of aging, he provided that the effects of "oxidative damage" are responsible for much aging particularly of the premature kind. Wright also suggested based on animal studies that diets high in anti-oxidant-rich foods may be beneficial in slowing ARCD. Among people aged 65 and older, high vitamin C and beta-carotene levels have been associated with better memory performance. Zagaria(2002)further explained that these nutrients as explained may be markers for other dietary factors responsible for protection against cognitive disorders. In most cases when physical activity is diminished, cellular metabolism is likewise affected which results to mal-absorption of nutrients that are needed by the body. Inadequate dietary intake, intake of drugs that inhibit B12 absorption, increased cobalamin excretion that can occur according to Amador in the presence of normal hematological studies. A detailed description on the role of specific nutrients in age-related cognitive decline will be discussed which includes: Vit.B (cobalamin) and folates; antioxidants and other food products. Vit.B(cobalamin) Andel et al (2005) noticed strong evidence of connection between the low levels of vitamin B12 and warned that this is a common nutritional deficiency in the Western world. Commonly present in meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products adults over 50 are mostly lacking than most people due to atropic gastritis whereby B12 absorption in the small intestine is reduced. However, it should be noted that certain acidic elements are persistent in the stomach of the elderly despite age, it is unusually unthinkable to blame the lack of needed nutrients to gastritis. Teunisse et al(1996)related that cobalamin is an essential vitamin for hematopoiesis and the maintenance of neurologic and psychiatric health. Since it is not synthesized in the body, animals must obtain Vit.B 12 from their diet. Vit.B12 works by aiding in cellular formation and longevity. Essentially it shares in the proper digestion, absorption of foods, protein synthesis, and metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. In Quadri's study, he has identified a sulfur-containing amino-acid that is produced by "methionine" through a pathway that involves vitamin B-12 "folate". This study was focused on cognitive impaired elderly patients, mild cognitive-impaired patients and demented patients. The results suggest that folate deficiency may come before AD and VAD onset. Further it added that "hyperhomocysteinemia" may also be a risk factor for cognitive decline in elderly individuals. However Craen(2005)released follow-up findings that suggested that elevated homocysteine and decreased folate levels ARE NOT predictive of faster cognitive decline. With this findings in hand, a scientific medically proven procedure to prove this argument should be broughtp to immediately discount both possibilities. His results showed deviation from previous studies that homocysteine rise-up fails to show significant relationship to faster cognitive decline however it has been explained by Quadri that homocysteine does not have a direct relation. Hyperhomocysteinemia is risk factor in vascular diseases which in turn has a significant physical contributory factor in age-related cognitive decline. Thus hyperhomocystenemia as a risk factor should ultimately in time be considered the resultant factor with its absence. Folates As a brainfood folic acid is needed for energy and the production or red blood cells which functions as a co-enzyme in the DNA synthesis. This nutrient is very helpful in the prevention of depression and anxiety and best works with Vit. B12. Durga(2005)said that the Dutch researchers conducted the first study that convincingly shows that folic acid can slow cognitive decline. The emphasis was on folic acid, not a mix of B vitamins, can do the job as further added. The study however did not use patients who were diagnosed with Alzheimer's therefore there is no proof that it can stave off the disease which is most likely the end-part of cognitive decline among the elderly. If this is factor indeed promoted a deadly decline among the elderly, Alzheimer's disease should be used as a basis and as a long dreaded disease rather that beat around the simple reasons of cognitive decline. Antioxidants According to Gale(2005)taking Vit E and C plus ibuprofen significantly reduces the risks of Alzheimer's disease. For progressing cases though, she suggested other vitamins are needed to create a synergistic effect. Patton(2005) also suggested that polyphenols in fruit and vegetables delays the onset of AD. In the same article, Borenstein(2005)supported and pushed for the use of natural fruit juice and claimed that there was no apparent dementia-related benefit from dietary or supplemental Vit. E, C or beta-carotene intake. They have further added that Vit. E and C serve as a therapeutic agent rather than working along the preventive side. The differing opinions suggest further studies to substantiate varied opinions. One thing though is observed, Gale suggested clearly that in progressive state of the AD, other vitamins or minerals are needed to create a synergistic effect. One cannot rely on Vitamin C to do the job alone while the rest of the body waits. Borenstein and Patton, used for study a control group of Japanese American men and women for nine lengthy years. Monitoring of the dietary consumption day by day is supposedly done on a strict regimen which was not identified in their scope. Wright has suggested based on animal studies that diets high in anti-oxidant-rich foods may be beneficial in slowing ARCD. Among people aged 65 and older, high vitamin C and beta-carotene levels have been associated with better memory performance. Other food products In an elderly population of a village in South Italy, a typical Mediterranean diet, high intake of monounsaturated fatty acids such as olive has been associated with protection against age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) in preliminary research conducted by Zagaria. However, the mono unsaturated fatty acid content of this diet might only be a marker for some other dietary or lifestyle component responsible for a low incidence of the disease but we are led to believe that most cognitive disease conditions are seemingly affected by the type of food being ingested by the body. Barclay(2004)also added that dietary fatty acids may be related to cognitive performance. She published a cross-sectional survey in 2004 which suggested fatty fish and marine omega-3 PUFA consumption was associated with a reduced risk and intake of cholesterol and saturated fat with an increased risk of impaired cognitive function in middle-aged population. Barclay(2005)released another significant study that fish consumption, about one serving per week or more is associated with reduced cognitive decline. Health note (2004) has suggested that caffeine may improve cognitive performance in elderly British people in a preliminary study. Older people seem to be more susceptible to the effects of caffeine than younger people although weaker associations were found for tea consumption. Positive attitude towards food and its elements should outweigh any other condition of restriction to attain a a healthy mental state. It should be noted that the current American diet has almost relinquished the natural contents and nutrients of food to include the fat-free status. Loosing the nutrients eventually diminishes the other nutrients-t that are highly required of the body for normal functioning. Most likely if there is a continued elimination of most nutrients in the food, other natural vitamins are also lost thereby causing imbalances in the diet that may contribute more negative effects. Summary Despite efforts to stop the normal aging process, scientists are merited only with the delaying process through adequate food intake, corrective medical interventions, chemical substances and behavioral mechanisms. This decline according to the APA1, is not usually pathological but rather parallels a number of common decreases in physiological function that occur Yesavage(1999) explained that "Malignant conditions are caused by a variety of neuro-pathological complaints and disease process". However simple age-related cognitive decline are affected by several factors which includes nutrition among several other factors. Based on the latest studies and continued arguments over the benefits of a specific nutrient, no question was raised as to the importance of nutrition in the prevention of age-related cognitive decline. Works Cited Zagaria, Mary Ann E. (2002). Nutrition in the Elderly. http://www.uspharmacist.com/oldformat.aspurl=newlook/files/Feat/oct00snrcon.cfm&pub_id=8&article_id=594 9 April,2006. Wright, Jonathan V. (2000). Theory of Aging. 1Wizards.Net Tahoma Clinic. http://www.tahoma-clinic.com/aging2.shtml 09 April, 2006. Healthnotes (2004). Age related Cognitive Decline. http://www.evitamins.com/healthnotes.aspContentID=1011007#Diet-Options 10, April 2006. Gale, Karla (2005). Vitamins E and C plus Ibuprofen May Protect against Alzheimer's. 13 April, 2006. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/529400 Patton, D. and Borenstein, A.(2005). Fruits Vegetable juices may stall Alzheimer's Disease. 13 April, 2006. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/529400 Durga, Jane (2005,June). High Dose Folic Acid Supplements might slow the decline in memory usually seen with Aging. 13 April,2006.www.nutraingredients_usa.com Barclay,Laurie (2006).Dietary Fatty Acids may reduce risk of Cognitive Decline. 13 April, 2006. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/468037 Amador,Nelly(1998).Vit.B Replacement Therapy and its Rehabilitative effects on Psychiatric and Neurologic Symptoms. 12 April, 2006. http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgiarticle=1043&context=uclabiolchem/nutritionbytes American Psychiatric Association (2002). Mental Illness in the Elderly. Washington DC: APA. Andel, Ross and Hughes, Tiffany (2005).Cognitive Decline and Dementia in later life has drawn attention to a lack of VitB12 and other nutritional factors that may increase the risk. Aging Health. Inaugural Issue Aug 10,2005. Barclay, Laurie (2005).Fish Consumption may be linked to reduce Cognitive Decline. Archives of Neurology. Oct.10 early release issue. Craen, Anton J.(2005). Homocysteine Levels Not Linked to Rate of Cognitive Decline in Elderly Persons. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2005;82:866-871. Markle,H.V. (1996). Cobalamin.Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Science.33,4:247-356. Teunisse, S. et al(1996).Dementia and Subnormal levels of Vitamin B12:Effects of replacement Therapy on Dementia. Journal of Neurology 243:522-529. Yesavage, J., Brink, T., Rose, T. et al.(1993). Development and Validation of Geriatric Depression. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 26:30-32. Quadri, P., Fragiacomo,C., and Pezzati,R.(July 2004). Homocysteine, folate, and Vit.B-12 in Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer Disease and Vascular Dementia. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,80:114-122. Read More