PROMED-COG: PROtein enriched MEDiterranean diet to combat undernutrition and promote healthy neuroCOGnitive ageing in older adults

由于缺乏能量、蛋白质、维生素和/或矿物质而导致的营养不良在老年人中非常普遍。在英国，大约有130万65岁以上的人被认为营养不良；其中90%以上住在自己的家里。营养不良对健康和福祉有重大的负面影响，特别是对患有认知障碍的人。它会导致体重减轻，记忆和思维(认知)功能下降更快，摔倒，感染，残疾，住院和丧失独立性。它还会显著增加晚年患痴呆症的风险。因此，找到有效的解决方案来预防营养不良是至关重要的，以帮助有认知障碍风险的人过上更健康的生活。在这项研究中，我们将通过对105名居住在北爱尔兰的患有主观记忆问题的营养不良成年人进行随机对照试验(ProMED-EX)来解决现有知识中已发现的差距。ProMED-EX试验的目的是：(I)确定在运动和不运动的情况下，富含蛋白质的地中海饮食对认知功能的影响；(Ii)了解富含蛋白质的地中海饮食和运动可能如何影响营养状况；以及(Iii)评估饮食和运动的可接受性，以支持主观记忆障碍的老年人更好的营养状况和认知表现。ProMED-EX是一个更大的欧洲项目的一部分，该项目研究营养不良如何影响晚年患痴呆症的风险。该项目将为营养不良在脑老化和痴呆症风险中的作用以及改变饮食和锻炼行为如何防止营养不良导致老年人健康的脑老化提供新的关键见解。最终，这项研究将为预防营养不良，特别是促进老年人健康的大脑老化，制定基于证据的生活方式指南。

Undernutrition caused by the deficiency of energy, protein, vitamins and/or minerals, is very common in older ages. Approximately 1.3 million people aged over 65 in the UK are considered to be undernourished; over 90% of whom live in their own home. Undernutrition has significant negative effects on health and well-being, especially for people living with cognitive impairment. It leads to weight loss and faster decline in memory and thinking (cognitive) functions, falls, infections, disability, hospital admissions and loss of independence. It can also significantly increase the risk of dementia in later life. Therefore, it is critical to find effective solutions to prevent undernutrition to help people at risk of cognitive impairment live healthier lives.In this research, we will address identified gaps in existing knowledge by conducting a randomised controlled trial (PROMED-EX) in 105 undernourished adults with subjective memory complaint living in Northern Ireland. The aims of the PROMED-EX trial are to: (i) determine the effect of a protein enriched Mediterranean diet, with and without exercise, on cognitive function; (ii) understand how a protein enriched Mediterranean diet and exercise may act to influence nutritional status, and; (iii) evaluate the acceptability of diet and exercise to support better nutrition status and cognitive performance in older adults with subjective memory complaint. PROMED-EX is part of a larger European project to study how undernutrition can affect dementia risk in later life. The project will provide new and critical insight into the role of undernutrition in brain ageing and dementia risk and how modifications of dietary and exercise behaviour can act to prevent undernutrition for healthy brain ageing in older citizens. Ultimately, the research will produce evidence-based lifestyle guidelines for prevention of undernutrition and, specifically, the promotion of healthy brain ageing in older adults.