Nutrition and Brain Aging: Dietary Interventions for Cognitive Health

Overview

The relationship between nutrition and brain aging represents a rapidly evolving field in neuroscience and nutritional biochemistry. Current research indicates that dietary interventions can modulate fundamental aging processes in the brain, including oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and cellular repair mechanisms. The ketogenic diet has demonstrated particular promise through its ability to enhance mitochondrial biogenesis and provide alternative energy substrates for neurons. Mediterranean and high-antioxidant diets contribute to reduced neuroinflammation and improved cerebral blood flow. Specific nutrients like polyphenols from berries and green tea, omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish, and vitamin D work synergistically to support neuronal membrane integrity, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis. Clinical studies show that consistent adherence to these nutritional strategies can result in measurable improvements in memory, executive function, and processing speed in aging populations.