Through a long-term follow-up survey of over 1,000 elderly people, French scientists have found that brain aging in the elderly is associated with a deficiency of selenium and certain carotenoids in their plasma, thereby proving that dietary structure has a significant impact on brain aging.
According to a recent press release from the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, France began a study titled "Epidemiology of Vascular Aging" in 1991.
This follow-up study included a total of 1,389 elderly volunteers aged 60 to 70 (574 men and 815 women). Researchers conducted a comprehensive examination for them every two years, thus obtaining a large amount of data on changes in cognition and physiology among the elderly.
When analyzing this data, the researchers discovered that the decline in cognitive ability in the elderly is closely related to the decrease of selenium in their blood. Subsequently, they found that this change is also closely related to the levels of carotenoids such as lycopene and lutein in their bodies.
The researchers speculate that the reduction of these antioxidants in the plasma of the elderly promotes the decline of their brain nerve cells, leading to a decrease in cognitive ability. Selenium is a trace element that the human body can obtain by consuming seafood and meat. Lycopene and lutein are both types of carotenoids. Grapefruits, watermelons, and tomatoes contain large amounts of lycopene, while green vegetables and fruits contain more lutein. Therefore, adjusting dietary structure and increasing the levels of antioxidants in the body can help slow down the process of brain aging.
The researchers stated that these findings need to be confirmed by larger-scale studies.