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Association between Dietary Protein Intake and Cognitive Function in Adults Aged 60 Years and Older

The journal of nutrition, health & aging volume 24, pages 223–229 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine the association of dietary protein intake and protein sources with cognitive function in population aged 60 years and older.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014.

Participants

Non-institutionalized US adults aged 60 years and older.

Measurements

Cognitive functions were assessed by a series of cognitive tests. Dietary protein intake was assessed by two 24-hour dietary recall interviews. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the associations between quartiles of dietary protein intake and cognitive function.

Results

Protein intake was positively associated with cognitive function. In full-adjusted model, the significant association between dietary protein intake and Recall Test score was observed (quartile (Q) 2 versus Q1, β=0.24, 95%CI: 0.01 to 0.47); the association between protein intake and Animal Fluency test was significant (Q2 versus Q1, β=1.40, 95%CI: 0.51 to 2.29; Q4 versus Q1, β=1.42, 95%CI: 0.37 to 2.48); the positive associations with DSST score and Composite z-score were observed both in Q2 versus Q1 and Q3 versus Q1 of protein intake. Protein intake from total animal, total meat, eggs and legumes were associated with a better performance on certain cognitive tests. However, an adverse association between higher protein intake from milk and milk products and cognitive function was observed.

Conclusions

We found the positive associations of dietary protein intake and protein intake from total animal, total meat, eggs and legumes with cognitive function in adults aged 60 years and older, while higher milk and milk products were negatively associated with cognitive function.

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Acknowledgement

We thank all individuals at the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who were responsible for the planning and administering of NHANES and making the datasets of NHANES available on their website.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China

    Y. Li, S. Li, W. Wang & Dongfeng Zhang

Authors
  1. Y. Li
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  2. S. Li
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  3. W. Wang
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  4. Dongfeng Zhang
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Contributions

Author Contributions: D.Z. had full access to all study data and take responsibility for their integrity and accuracy of statistical analysis. Study concept and design: Y.L, D.Z. Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: All authors. Manuscript first draft: Y.L. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Y.L, S.L, W.W, D.Z. Statistical analysis: Y.L, S.L, W.W. Technical and material support: Y.L, S.L, W.W. Supervision: S.L, W.W, D.Z. All the authors have approved the final article.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dongfeng Zhang.

Ethics declarations

Financial support: No financial support.

Conflict of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Statement of Ethics: This study was approved by the National Center for Health Statistics Research ethics review board and performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. All persons gave their informed consent prior to their inclusion in the study.

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Li, Y., Li, S., Wang, W. et al. Association between Dietary Protein Intake and Cognitive Function in Adults Aged 60 Years and Older. J Nutr Health Aging 24, 223–229 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-020-1317-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-020-1317-4

Key words

  • Dietary protein
  • protein sources
  • cognition
  • NHANES
  • cross-sectional study