An observational study involving American older adults revealed that higher dietary copper intake is associated with higher cognitive function, especially in individuals with a history of stroke. The study is published in Scientific Reports.
Background
The prevalence of cognitive impairment is steadily increasing worldwide, mainly due to the increasing global aging population. Cognitive decline is a significant sign of all forms of dementia, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease.
Recent estimates indicate that the prevalence of dementia is expected to reach 152.8 million by 2050. This highlights the need for developing appropriate strategies to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment.
Dietary supplementation with essential micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, has recently gained considerable attention as a valuable strategy to improve cognition and prevent dementia, especially in the older population. Research has shown that the imbalance of certain micronutrients, such as zinc, selenium, and copper, in the brain can lead to cognitive impairment and the subsequent development of neurodegenerative diseases.
