Calorie consumption and cognitive impairment link

Apparently some memory loss in older people can be linked to overeating. Elderly adults may actually double their risk of acquiring mild cognitive impairment (MCI) when they overeat. MCI is the kind of cognitive, neurological impairment that leads to Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Yonas E. Geda of the Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, and her colleagues reviewed medical records on 1,233 dementia-free adults aged 70 to 89. Less than 10% or 163 of these participants had MCI. After looking at the dietary records of these individuals, they found that consuming between 2100 and 6000 calories a day was linked to the increased risk for MCI. The calorie consumption data came from questionnaires participants filled on their dietary habits.

“We observed a dose-response pattern which simply means the higher the amount of calories consumed each day, the higher the risk of MCI,” explained Geda. “Cutting calories and eating foods that make up a healthy diet may be a simpler way to prevent memory loss as we age.”

The study group was divided into three categories based on calorie consumption. The first group consumed between 600 and 1526 calories a day, the second group consumed 1526 and 2143 calories, and the third group ate 2143 and 6000 calories per day. The highest calorie consumption had the doubled risk for MCI. There was no difference between the first and second group where the risk for MCI remained the same. Other risk factors like health history and years of education were accounted for and included in the risk assessment.

Source: MedicalNewsToday, Mayo Clinic-Scottsdale, Arizona