HYDERABAD: A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) has found a significant association between micronutrient deficiencies and an increased risk of dementia among Indian adults, highlighting the role of nutrition in promoting healthy ageing and reducing cognitive decline.
The findings come at a time when India is witnessing a rapid increase in its elderly population due to rising life expectancy. Researchers noted that low- and middle-income countries, including India, account for nearly 60% of the global dementia burden. While genetic factors play a role, nearly half of dementia cases are linked to modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, depression and social isolation.
The community-based cross-sectional study covered 570 adults aged between 40 and 80 years from rural and urban areas of Telangana. Researchers used a culturally adapted dementia risk assessment tool based on the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Ageing and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) score to assess dementia risk and examine its association with micronutrient status.
Participants also underwent cognitive assessment using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool. Researchers measured blood vitamin concentrations using advanced analytical techniques and evaluated dietary intake and dietary diversity.
The study found that nearly 40% of participants were classified as having a higher predicted risk of dementia. Individuals in this category showed significantly poorer nutritional status compared with those in the lower-risk group.
Deficiencies of vitamins D, B2, B6 and B12 were markedly more common among participants with higher dementia risk scores. They also had lower dietary diversity, consumed more saturated fats and reported lower intake of unsaturated fats.
The study found that vitamin deficiencies were more prevalent among rural participants than urban residents, indicating rural-specific vulnerabilities that may contribute to a higher burden of dementia risk factors. Researchers also observed that diets rich in micronutrients, particularly fruits and vegetables, were associated with a lower dementia risk-factor burden.
Dr G Bhanuprakash Reddy, Scientist G at ICMR-NIN and lead investigator of the study, said: “As India’s ageing population continues to expand, the number of people living with dementia is expected to rise substantially by 2050. Our findings highlight that micronutrient status is closely linked with the burden of dementia risk factors among Indian adults.”
“Although the cross-sectional design of this study restricts the ability to draw causal inferences, the study emphasises that nutrition, particularly micronutrient adequacy and dietary diversity, represents a modifiable factor that can be targeted through public health interventions,” he added.
Dr Bharati Kulkarni, Director, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, said: “Given that effective disease-modifying therapies for dementia remain limited, prevention through early identification of risk factors and timely intervention becomes increasingly important. This study provides important evidence that nutritional factors, especially micronutrient status, should be integrated into dementia prevention strategies in future.”
The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health, USA, and the Karolinska Institute, Sweden. The findings have been published in the journal The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia.