Overeating doubles risk of memory loss and cognitive decline as we age


Share



Pin It

(NaturalNews) Compelling research will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 64th Annual Meeting to explain how overeating may double the risk of memory loss, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), among people aged 70 and older. Cognitive decline threatens the very nature of who we are and how we interact with others, and the number of individuals experiencing normal loss of thought and memory has been increasing over the past half century. Loss of cognition and early stage dementia are both precursors to the devastating condition diagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease, said to affect nearly half of those aged 80 and above. Calorie restriction initiated early in life may be one of the most effective tools available to combat cognitive decline and memory loss leading to dementia.

The study was conducted using 1,233 individuals aged 70 to 89 who were free of dementia and living in Minnesota. Each participant filled out a questionnaire detailing the number of calories they ate or drank, and were then broken into three groups based on total caloric consumption. A third of the participants consumed between 600 and 1,526 calories per day, the middle third ranged between 1,526 and 2,143 and the top third consumed between 2,143 and 6,000 calories per day.

The lead study author, Dr. Yonas Geda, noted of the initial findings, “We observed a dose-response pattern which simply means; the higher the amount of calories consumed each day, the higher the risk of MCI.” The team discovered that those consuming the highest number of calories (2,143 calories per day and up) more than doubled their risk for developing MCI. The researchers adjusted for history of stroke, diabetes, amount of education and other factors that can affect risk of memory loss to reach their conclusion.

It is important to note that participants in the lower two-thirds experienced no increased risk of MCI, leading to the conclusion that the body is able to metabolize calories to an individual set point before cognition is impaired. Dr. Geda commented “excessive caloric intake may lead to oxidative damage leading to structural changes in the brain… cutting calories and eating foods that make up a healthy diet may be a simpler way to prevent memory loss as we age”.

It comes as no surprise to those following healthy lifestyle principles that caloric intake is yet another lifestyle factor found to affect the brain and impact normal thinking and memory processes as we age. Researchers have known for decades that calorie restriction is the only demonstrated mechanism to extend healthy lifespan, as it is shown to stress the body’s natural survival mechanism toward longevity. Cutting 20% of your daily calories in the form of hydrogenated and trans fats, refined carbohydrates and excess animal protein will not only help you maintain a normal body weight, but may help prevent cognitive decline in your senior years.

Sources for this article include:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120213083717.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_121851.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/241570.php
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-02/aaon-omd020712.php

About the author:
John Phillip is a Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of ‘Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan’, a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your Free 48 page copy of ‘Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan’.

Get breaking health news + a LIFETIME 7% discount on everything at the NaturalNews Store


Join two million monthly readers. Email privacy 100% protected. Unsubscribe at
any time.

Have comments on this article? Post them here:

 people have commented on this article.

Related Articles:

Tea consumption slows cognitive decline in older adults

Green tea helps maintain functional ability and prevent cognitive decline as we age

Blood pressure control is essential to minimize stroke risk and avert memory decline

Vitamin D deficiency linked to cognitive decline, increased risk of Alzheimer`s disease

Grape Seed Extract May Reduce Cognitive Decline of Alzheimer’s Disease

High-fat, copper-rich diets associated with increased rates of cognitive decline in older adults (press release)

Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com

Email this article to a friend

Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us

Permalink to this article:
http://www.naturalnews.com/035040_overeating_memory_loss_cognitive_decline.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial use OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.

Embed article link: (copy HTML code below):
Overeating doubles risk of memory loss and cognitive decline as we age

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Leave a Reply

Powered by WordPress | Designed by: Premium WordPress Themes | Thanks to Themes Gallery, Bromoney and Wordpress Themes