Dementia ‘medical foods’ lack science: report

Popular nutrient supplements or medical foods marketed to prevent or treat dementia are not backed by current scientific evidence, a major report on dementia and nutrition has concluded.

 

Popular nutrient supplements or medical foods marketed to prevent or treat dementia are not backed by current scientific evidence, a major report on dementia and nutrition has concluded.

The report led by Professor Martin Prince from King’s College in London, said the market for supplements was large but unproven by clinical trials. A recent survey of American adults reported that 15 million people specifically consumed supplements to prevent or treat cognitive problems.

Professor Henry Brodaty, co-director at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing at UNSW, welcomed the international report, which he said would help the public understand the latest evidence.

“There is much said about supplements and diet to prevent dementia. However much is assertion without a scientific basis, and this can be dangerous and is misleading,” said Professor Brodaty.

The report, commissioned by Alzheimer’s Disease International and Compass Group, recommended that “clear, consistent and independent evidence-based advice” on nutritional supplements be made available to those at risk of, or already living with dementia.

The report said there was currently insufficient evidence to recommend the use of any medical foods currently marketed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and some evidence to suggest they offered no clinical benefit.

There was also no current evidence that vitamin supplements could modify the course of dementia, but further research was needed into the role of some vitamins such B12 and folate.

The authors said the strongest and most consistent evidence to date was for the benefits of a Mediterranean diet (a diet high in cereals, fruits, fish and vegetables) for lowering a person’s risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Malnutrition

In addition to dietary supplements, the review also drew attention to the issue of malnutrition in people with dementia and called for nutritional standards of care to be introduced.

The authors said all people with dementia should also have their weight and nutritional status monitored regularly and be supported by a dietitian as part of their care.

“Evidence on the association between dementia and weight loss is compelling,” the authors wrote. “Several epidemiological studies have confirmed that people with dementia experience a significantly more marked decline in body weight in older age, across high income countries and low to middle income countries.”

Read the full report: Nutrition and dementia: a review of available research’.

Tags: dementia, medical foods, nutrition, vitamin supplements,

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