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Protein and thiamin intakes are not related to cognitive function in well‐nourished community‐living older adults
Author(s) -
Koh Freda,
Charlton Karen E.,
Walton Karen,
Brock Erin,
McMahon Anne T.,
Langford Kelly,
Host Alison,
Crowe Ruth,
Thornhill Kayla
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.479
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1747-0080
pISSN - 1446-6368
DOI - 10.1111/1747-0080.12179
Subject(s) - medicine , geriatric depression scale , cognition , vitamin d and neurology , gerontology , micronutrient , vitamin , depression (economics) , depressive symptoms , psychiatry , pathology , economics , macroeconomics
Aim Some studies have suggested that thiamin (vitamin B 1) may have a protective effect on the maintenance of cognitive function in older people. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the association between dietary intakes, specifically protein and thiamin with cognitive function. Methods A cross‐sectional analysis was conducted on community‐living older adults aged ≥60 years in the I llawarra region of N ew S outh W ales. Dietary intakes were collected using a three‐day food record and various domains of cognition were tested. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale ( GDS ). Correlations and regressions were conducted to investigate the association between dietary intakes and areas of cognitive function. Results Forty‐eight volunteers participated (mean age: 78.2 ± 6.1 years; BMI : 28.8 ± 5.4 kg/m 2 ; MNA S core: 26.8 ± 2.4; 35% men). Men had higher intakes of energy (kJ), carbohydrate, saturated fat and sodium than women. No significant association was found between protein or thiamin and the tested domains of cognition. Associations were found between vitamin D intake and the Letter Fluency Test (r = −0.302, P < 0.05) and R ey A uditory V erbal L earning T est (r = −0.400, P < 0.001), and between both carbohydrate (r = 0.383, P = < 0.05) and iron intake (r = 0.333, P < 0.05) and the GDS . Conclusions In a sample of generally healthy, well‐nourished older adults, no associations were found between protein or thiamin intakes and the tested components of cognition. Further investigation is required to determine if an increase in these nutrients through the provision of food sources has benefits to improve cognitive function.