Gaby
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln found that certain nutrients—specific fatty acids, antioxidants, and plant pigments—help slow brain aging.
The researchers hope their findings will improve care for people at risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
What the Researchers Discovered
The team recruited 100 cognitively healthy participants aged 65 to 75. All participants underwent cognitive tests, brain imaging, and blood biomarker analysis.
The researchers identified a specific nutrient profile in the blood of those with the strongest cognitive performance.
Beneficial nutrients included fatty acids such as vaccenic, gondoic, and alpha-linolenic acids, plus antioxidants, two forms of vitamin E, choline, and plant pigments like cis-lutein, trans-lutein, and zeaxanthin.
This nutrient profile overlaps with nutrients found in the Mediterranean diet, a pattern previously associated with healthier brain aging.
“We studied specific nutrient biomarkers, such as fatty acid profiles, that nutritional science considers potentially beneficial. That lines up with large studies showing the Mediterranean diet’s health benefits,” said Dr. Aaron Barbi, a co-author of the study.
The study is one of the first and largest to combine brain imaging, blood biomarkers, and cognitive testing.
The team plans to run controlled clinical trials to identify which specific nutrients support cognitive function and overall brain health.
