Could a Diet High in Animal Protein Help Prevent Cognitive Decline?

Due to increasing life expectancies in many countries, increasing numbers of elderly people are living with functional decline, such as declines in cognitive ability and activities of daily living. This can have profound effects on the health and well-being of older adults and their caregivers, as well as on health care resources.

Researchers note that as people age, their ability to properly absorb or process protein may decline. Yet in order to compensate for this loss, protein requirements may increase with age.

Lead study author Megumi Tsubota-Utsugi, PhD, MPH, RD, of the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Japan, and her colleagues in Tohoku University and Teikyo University, Japan, studied whether protein intake would affect the functional capabilities of older adults.

Their research included a 1,007 individual analysis with the average age participant 67.4 years old. All were asked to complete food questionnaires at the start of the study and seven years later. Participants were also divided into four groups based on their intake levels of total plant and animal protein. Findings showed that tests of higher-level functional capacity included social and intellectual aspects as well as related to daily living activities.

Men who were part of the highest quartile of animal protein intake had a 39 percent decreased change of experiencing higher-level functional decline than those in the lowest quartile, according to background information from the study. However, these associations were not seen in women.

"Identifying nutritional factors that contribute to maintaining higher-level functional capacity is important for prevention of future deterioration of activities of daily living," said Dr. Tsubota-Utsugi, via a press release. "Along with other modifiable health behaviors, a diet rich in protein may help older adults maintain their functional capacity."

 More information regarding the study can be found via the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.