A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) found that deficiencies in key vitamins such as D, B2, B6, and B12 are associated with a higher risk of dementia among Indian adults. This research, published in The Lancet Regional Health, highlights the significant role nutrition plays in brain health, particularly as India's elderly population continues to grow.
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The study discovered that nearly 40 percent of participants were identified as having a heightened predicted risk of dementia. Those individuals also exhibited poorer nutritional status and a lack of dietary diversity. This issue is particularly pressing as low- and middle-income countries like India, which account for nearly 60 percent of the global dementia burden, are experiencing a demographic shift toward an aging population.
Conducted with collaboration from Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health and Sweden's Karolinska Institute, the study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that improved nutrition may help promote healthy aging and lessen cognitive decline.
This community-based cross-sectional study involved 570 adults aged between 40 and 80 from both rural and urban areas in Telangana. Researchers evaluated dementia risk using a culturally adapted version of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Ageing and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) score, while cognitive performance was assessed through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Blood samples were analyzed for vitamin levels, and dietary intake and diversity were closely examined.
Results indicated a distinct link between higher dementia risk and subpar nutrition. Participants categorized as high-risk were found to be more likely deficient in vitamins D, B2, B6, and B12. They typically consumed less diverse diets, had a higher intake of saturated fats, and consumed fewer unsaturated fats. Notably, vitamin deficiencies were more common among rural participants compared to their urban counterparts, highlighting unique nutritional vulnerabilities in rural populations that might elevate dementia risk. Diets rich in micronutrients, particularly fruits and vegetables, were associated with a lower burden of dementia risk factors.
Lead investigator Dr. G. Bhanuprakash Reddy emphasized that as the aging population in India expands, the incidence of dementia is projected to significantly increase by 2050. He cautioned that while the cross-sectional nature of the study does not establish definitive cause-and-effect relationships, the findings illustrate the crucial role of nutrition as a potentially adjustable risk factor. Targeting adequate micronutrient intake and greater dietary diversity through public health initiatives could be vital in reducing dementia risk.
Dr. Bharati Kulkarni, Director of ICMR-NIN, pointed out that with limited effective disease-modifying treatments for dementia available, prevention is becoming increasingly important. She stated that the study provides evidence for incorporating nutritional factors, especially micronutrient status, into future dementia prevention strategies through early identification of risk factors and timely interventions.