Can your diet help reduce brain iron and cognitive decline?

By Free Republic | Created at 2024-12-19 21:27:28 | Updated at 2024-12-28 16:37:03 1 week ago

Can your diet help reduce brain iron and cognitive decline?
Medical Xpress / University of Kentucky / Neurobiology of Aging ^ | Dec. 10, 2024 | Valentinos Zachariou et al

Posted on 12/19/2024 12:35:58 PM PST by ConservativeMind

Researchers have found that incorporating specific nutrients into a regular diet may reduce iron buildup in the brain—a factor associated with cognitive decline in normal aging.

In this project, researchers specifically looked at non-heme iron, which is critical for brain health. This type of iron does not bind with storage proteins and, with age and in excess, can contribute to oxidative stress, potentially affecting neuronal integrity and cognition.

Excessive brain iron has been linked to poor cognitive performance, even in normal aging.

"Despite mounting evidence connecting iron overload to negative cognitive outcomes, there are currently no established methods for reducing brain iron accumulation in older adults," said Valentinos Zachariou, Ph.D.

This study builds on the research team's previous work that found higher intake of antioxidants, vitamins, iron-chelating nutrients and polyunsaturated fatty acids correlated with lower brain iron levels and better working memory performance.

The team reassessed brain iron concentrations approximately three years later in the same cohort of older adults. They measured brain iron levels with a specific MRI technique called quantitative susceptibility mapping.

Researchers also analyzed a month's worth of dietary information and cognitive performance, which was evaluated using neuropsychological tests of episodic memory (memories of specific events) and executive function.

"Our results revealed a broad network of cortical and subcortical brain regions where iron accumulation occurred over the three-year period," said Zachariou. "These regional increases in iron levels were associated with poorer episodic memory and executive function at the follow-up time-point."

"However, participants who had higher baseline intake of antioxidants, vitamins, iron-chelating nutrients, and polyunsaturated fatty acids showed significantly less iron accumulation over the three-year period," said Gold.

Further study of iron accumulation and cognition effects of healthy diets rich in the nutrients examined in this study, such as the Mediterranean or DASH diets, would be highly beneficial.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...

TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS:

The concern was with iron from non-animal sources, known as “non-heme iron.”

Ironically, veggies, fruits, and polyunsaturated fatty acids can help pull this form out of the brain, where as we age, it builds up in unhealthy ways.

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2 posted on 12/19/2024 12:36:45 PM PST by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)

To: ConservativeMind

“Excessive brain iron has been linked to poor cognitive performance, even in normal aging. “

Not to mention causing major problems in the MRI machine

;-)

3 posted on 12/19/2024 12:46:15 PM PST by doorgunner69 (Your oath of enlistment has no expiration date)

To: ConservativeMind

It “may” or it may not. Obviously what is needed to be more certain I’d millions more of taxpayer dollars. Science is GREAT!

4 posted on 12/19/2024 12:51:37 PM PST by Texas Eagle ("Throw me to the wolves, and I'll return leading the pack"- Donald J. Trump)

To: doorgunner69

I wonder, are metal heads at greater risk?

5 posted on 12/19/2024 12:51:59 PM PST by irishjuggler

To: ConservativeMind

I wonder what the affects are of iron supplements (iron sulfate) for people that are iron deficient.

6 posted on 12/19/2024 12:57:56 PM PST by Cold Heart

To: ConservativeMind

DRINK YOUR OVALTINE. I read an entire article.for this?!

7 posted on 12/19/2024 1:24:56 PM PST by Ikeon ( Why don't they, do what they say? Say what they mean? One thing leads to another. )

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