A study conducted in Hyderabad by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) revealed that over one in three older adults surveyed displayed signs of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The research discovered a strong correlation between cognitive decline and deficiencies in essential vitamins, particularly vitamins D, B2, and B9.
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The findings suggest that improved nutritional status may be vital for maintaining brain health as individuals age. Scientists assessed the cognitive function of 184 adults aged 55 to 85 years using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and analyzed blood samples for vitamin levels including A, D, B1, B2, B6, B9, and B12. They also measured neuronal biomarkers such as beta-amyloid, total tau, neurofilament light chain, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
The study indicated that 36.4% of participants had MCI, and those affected exhibited lower blood levels of multiple micronutrients, notably vitamins D, B1, B2, B6, B9, and B12. The MCI group was particularly prone to deficiencies in vitamins D, B2, and B9. Furthermore, participants with MCI presented higher blood glucose levels and increased systolic blood pressure.
Conversely, better cognitive performance was linked to higher levels of vitamins, specifically D and B6. G. Bhanuprakash Reddy, Scientist and Head of the Biochemistry Division at ICMR-NIN, stated that further studies are required to establish causality and the effects of nutrient supplementation. He emphasized the importance of early nutritional assessment and intervention as part of healthy aging strategies.
Bharati Kulkarni, Director of ICMR-NIN, further noted that healthy aging involves not only managing diseases but also ensuring nutritional well-being. The study, published in the international journal Nutrients, underscores the necessity of maintaining adequate micronutrient levels and enhancing early nutritional evaluations among older adults to support cognitive health.