THE ROLE OF NUTRITION IN THE COGNITIVE DISORDERS AND IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA

Abstract

The role of diet and its effect on cognitive functions has been studied in a variety of observational studies and clinical trials. In this review, the Mediterranean diet may have a protective effect, alone or in combination with multifactorial interventions. There is strong evidence for preventive effects of several nutrients and foods, such as B vitamins, vitamin D, certain flavonoids, fish, green vegetables, berries, red wine and deleterious effects of saturated fat, on dementia. However, caution is needed in interpreting these results due to methodological limitations. Finally, we investigated whether dementia affects one's ability to feed and maintain his or her body weight at any stage. Parenteral and enteral nutrition are recommended in reversible situations in which there is a swalloing difficulty.