A groundbreaking community-based study conducted by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) has established a significant connection between poor micronutrient status and a higher predicted risk of dementia among Indian adults.
Conducted in collaboration with the Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health (USA) and the Karolinska Institute (Sweden), the study comes at a crucial time. India is currently undergoing a rapid demographic shift with an expanding aging population and increasinglife expectancy. Low- and middle-income countries like India already account for nearly 60% of the global dementia burden, and the numbers are expected to rise steeply by 2050.
The cross-sectional study evaluated 570 middle-aged and older adults (aged 40 to 80 years) from both rural and urban areas of Telangana. Researchers utilized advanced laboratory analytical techniques alongside a culturally adapted version of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) score to assess dementia risk profiles. Cognitive performance was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.
Alarmingly, nearly 40% of the participants were classified as having a higher predicted risk of dementia. Individuals in the high-risk category demonstrated significantly poorer nutritional status. Deficiencies in Vitamins D, B2 (riboflavin), B6, and B12 were markedly more prevalent in this group. The high-risk group reported lower dietary diversity, consuming significantly higher amounts of saturated fats and fewer healthy unsaturated fats.
Conversely, diets rich in micronutrients particularly fruits and vegetables were associated with a much lower dementia risk factor burden. Vitamin deficiencies and low dietary diversity were far more common among rural participants than their urban counterparts. Despite engaging in higher physical activity, rural populations faced unique nutritional vulnerabilities that heightened their overall risk profile.
While genetic factors contribute to dementia, roughly half of all cases globally are linked to modifiable risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and physical inactivity. This study firmly adds micronutrient adequacy to that list. “As India’s aging population continues to expand, the number of people living with dementia is expected to rise substantially by 2050,” said Dr. G. Bhanuprakash Reddy, Scientist G at ICMR-NIN and the lead investigator of the study. Dr. Bharati Kulkarni, Director of ICMR-NIN, emphasized the urgency of proactive health measures: “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 crucial evidence that nutritional factors, especially micronutrient status, should be integrated into future dementia prevention and routine geriatric care strategies.
Written by: Pragna Biswas
Graphics by: Mainak Sen
