Exploring the role of nutrition in arresting neurocognitive decline among the elderly

Neurocognitive decline has been acknowledged as a significant public health problem among the elderly, as it tends to impair memory, reasoning abilities, and the activities of daily living. The purpose of the current review is to explore the presence of malnutrition in the elderly, identify the role of nutrition in determining cognitive health, and propose public health interventions in the domain of nutrition to improve cognitive health. An extensive search of all materials related to the topic was carried out in the PubMed search engine. A total of 37 studies like the current study objectives were identified initially, of which 29 articles were finally selected based on their suitability with the current review objectives and were analyzed. Keywords used in the search include nutrition, elderly malnutrition, and diet in the title alone. The findings of a systematic review and meta-analysis reported the prevalence of malnutrition as 18% among community-dwelling elderly people. Acknowledging the rising prevalence of neurodegenerative conditions among the elderly, the presence of multiple factors that can precipitate malnutrition in these vulnerable population groups and the direct connection between nutrition and cognitive health, there is an indispensable need to implement targeted interventions. In conclusion, the problem of cognitive decline among the elderly is a grave public health concern, as it can impair the quality of life. Considering the role of malnutrition in promoting neurocognitive decline, the need of the hour is to integrate nutrition, mental health, social engagement, and supplements with system-level reforms.