Mild cognitive impairment is often a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease, marking the initial stages of cognitive decline that precede more severe dementia. Evidence suggests lifestyle factors mediate the progression of mild cognitive impairment. A recent study found that intensive lifestyle modification improves cognitive and functional performance and slows disease progression in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 49 participants aged 45-90 with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Half of the participants received the usual care, while the other half received a 20-week intensive lifestyle intervention. The researchers assessed the participants' cognitive and functional performance and measured plasma biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s before and after the intervention.
They found that participants in the intervention group showed considerable improvements in cognition and function compared to the control group. In addition, Aβ42/40 ratios increased in the intervention group but decreased in the control group.
The Aβ42/40 ratio is a measure of the relative levels of two forms of amyloid-beta protein (Aβ42 and Aβ40) in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid. It is a biomarker used to assess the presence and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Lower ratios typically indicate higher levels of brain amyloid-beta plaques, a hallmark of the disease. An increase in the Aβ42/40 ratio, as observed in the intervention group, suggests a potential reversal or slowing of amyloid-beta plaque accumulation, indicating an improvement in disease pathology.
These findings suggest that intensive lifestyle modification has profound effects on Alzheimer’s disease progression in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. FoundMyFitness has a wealth of information about the various components used in this intensive protocol, which included:
- Diet: A whole-food, minimally processed, plant-based diet, high in complex carbohydrates and low in harmful fats and refined sugars.
- Exercise: Daily aerobic activities and resistance training exercises three times weekly.
- Stress management: Daily meditation, yoga, stretching, relaxation exercises, and breathing technique sessions.
- Group support: Group sessions, including supervised exercise, stress management practices, support groups, and lifestyle lectures, three times weekly.
- Supplements: Daily supplements, including omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, a multivitamin/mineral, coenzyme Q10, vitamin C, vitamin B12, magnesium L-threonate, lion’s mane mushroom, and a probiotic.