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Dementia

Do Exercise and Supplementation Benefit Cognition in Older Patients?

Exercise and supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids does not significantly affect cognitive function, according to a pair of studies.

Previous research has suggested that physical activity and supplementation with nutrients—including omega-3 fatty acids and lutein/zeaxanthin—benefit cognition, but results from randomized trials are limited.
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For this reason, a pair of new studies evaluated the effects of a moderate physical activity program and nutritional supplementation on cognition in older, sedentary adults.

In the first study, researchers followed 1635 sedentary, community-living patients (aged 70-89 years old) who were at risk for mobility disability, but still able to walk 400 meters.1

Participants were randomized to either a moderate-intensity exercise program (including walking, resistance training, and flexibility training) or to a health education program.

After 24 months, cognitive function scores and risk of cognitive impairment were similar between the 2 groups, with incident dementia occurring in 98 participants in the physical activity group and 91 participants in the health education group.

In the second study, researchers followed 3501 participants that underwent cognitive function tests during the 5-year Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2, which tested the effects of nutritional supplements on the progression of macular degeneration.2

Overall, there was no statistically significant difference in cognitive scores between those participants given supplements (including omega-3 fatty acids, lutein/zeaxanthin, and vitamins C, E, beta carotene, and zinc) and those given placebo.

“Among older persons with age-related macular degeneration, oral supplementation with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acidsor lutein/zeaxanthin had no statistically significant effect on cognitive function,” they concluded.2

—Michael Potts

References:

  1. Sink KM, Espeland MA, Castro CM, et al. Effect of a 24-month physical activity intervention vs health education on cognitive outcomes in sedentary older adults. JAMA. 2015;314(8):781-790.
  2. Chew EY, Clemons TE, Agron E, et al. Effect of omega-3 fatty acids, lutein/zeaxanthin, or other nutrient supplementation on cognitive function. JAMA. 2015;314(8):791-801.