Dietary Selenium and Blood Pressure Linked to Cognitive Health in Older Adults
A recent study published in Nature Health Sciences investigates how dietary selenium intake and hypertension relate to mild cognitive impairment among older adults in China.
Key points
- Involved 1,033 community-dwelling adults aged 55 and older in Zhejiang Province, China.
- Higher dietary selenium intake was linked to a lower prevalence of screening-defined mild cognitive impairment.
- Hypertension was associated with a higher prevalence of mild cognitive impairment, particularly alongside lower selenium intake.
A multicenter, cross-sectional study published in Nature Health Sciences has examined the links between dietary selenium intake, hypertension, and screening-defined mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Conducted in 2020 by researchers from the Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention and other institutions, the investigation involved 1,033 community-dwelling adults aged 55 and older across four regions in Zhejiang Province, China.
The researchers utilized food frequency questionnaires to calculate dietary nutrient intake and evaluated cognitive status using standardized scales alongside physical examinations. The findings suggest that higher dietary selenium intake is linked to a lower prevalence of MCI, whereas hypertension is associated with a higher prevalence. Specifically, participants with hypertension and a selenium intake below 100 micrograms per day showed the highest prevalence of cognitive impairment in joint analyses. Because this study is cross-sectional and observational, it points to correlations rather than direct cause-and-effect relationships, and further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.
What to know: The study found that higher dietary selenium was associated with fewer signs of mild cognitive impairment, while high blood pressure correlated with an increased prevalence. Readers should consult a healthcare professional before making any major changes to their diet or supplement routines.
Source Nature Health Sciences — nature.com/articles/s41598-026-78592-1 ↗
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