A study of over 1,200 older adults found that those who consumed over 2,143 calories per day doubled their risk of cognitive issues compared to those who ate 600-1,526 calories. The high calorie intake group saw their odds of developing memory problems increase, even after accounting for other risk factors. Certain foods high in fat, salt, and sugar can affect brain chemistry and lead to cravings in a way similar to drug addiction. Maintaining a healthy, calorie-restricted diet may help protect brain health with age by influencing the aging process.

1. I LIFESTYLE STORY
(
Overeating: Is It Affecting More Than
Healthy Weight Managetnent?
New research finds that an unchecked appetite
may affect you mentally as well as physically.
A
nutritious diet is tied to so many
aspects of health; from blood
sugar levels to cholesterol to
healthy blood flow. Aside from what
you eat, how much you eat can define
your health and lifestyle, too (Web-
MD.com Zdfl)." But now the common
problem of overeating has been shown
to not only affect physical health, but
your mind and memory as well (Klodas
2009).
Food Intake vs. Memory
In a recent study, researchers looked
at the effects of caloric intake on mem-
ory and cognitive function in aging
adults (ScienceDaily.com 2012). The
study was released and presented at
18 GardaVita® I© 2013 Vol.3 I No.21
by Timothy Rosini
the American Academy of Neurology's
64th Annual Meeting (Geda 2013). It
consisted of 1,233 adults between the
ages of 70 and 89. At the onset of the
study 163 participants experienced
cognitive health challenges. Test sub-
jects kept track of their eating habits
and daily food intake, marking down
how many calories they consumed in
a day and answering lifestyle and con-
sumption questions through a food
questionnaire.
At the conclusion of the study the
subjects were divided into three sepa-
rate groups according to the amount of
total calories consumed in a day. The
first group ofparticipants consumed an
average of 600-1,526 calories a day, the
second group consumed 1,526-2,143
calories per day, and the final group
consumed 2,143-6,000 calories each
day.
Doubling Your Forgetfulness
The results ofthe studywere surpris-
ing even to researchers due to the small
sample size of subjects. Those in the
highest caloric intake range of 2,143-
6,000 calories daily saw their odds of
developing cognitive health challenges
double compared to those in the low-
est caloric intake group of 600-1,526
calories. The results showed no change
even after taking into account family
and medical history, as well as educa-
tion and other factors that can affect

2. memory health (Geda 2013).
Based on the results, main study au-
thor Yonas E. Geda, M.D., M.Sc., who
is part ofthe Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale,
Arizona, said "Cutting calories and eat-
ing foods that make up a healthy diet
may be a simpler way to assist memory
health as we age:'
An Addiction Like Any Other
The problem of overeating has been
likened to that of an addiction or com-
pulsion (Hamilton 2009). But what
causes overeating? And how can you
recognize the forces that cause you to
overeat, and therefore guard against
them?
Not surprisingly, certain ingredients
in foods (fats, salts, sugars) affect brain
chemistry that lead to cravings, causing
consistent overeating. These "hyper-
palatable foods"-according to former
Food and Drug Administration Com-
missioner, David Kessler-act as dopa-
mine-activating substances and create a
rewarding experience that cause many
LIFESTYLE STORY
' ' By practicing caloric restriction, as well as
ahealthy diet, you can protect your brain and
positively influence the process of aging. '
to eat more in an attempt to keep recre-
ating that feeling (Lee 2009).
Making the Right Choices
and Maintaining Control
Protecting against overeating is as
much a job for the mind exerting con-
trol over the body than anything else.
Evidence shows that nutritious meals as
well as proper vitamin and nutrient sup-
plementation can lead to better health
and longevity. By practicing caloric
restriction, as well as a healthy diet,
you can protect your brain and posi-
tively influence the process of aging.
A truly healthy diet is as much
about what you put in as what you cut
out. Eating habits that include vegeta-
bles, fruits, and vitamins can carry the
same weight as being able to cut out the
foods that are high in fats, sugars,,and
salts (Reichenberger Mclndoo 2009).
A healthy lifestyle balances quality and
quantity, and with the right choices you
can protect not onlyyour physical health,
but your cognitive abilities as well. em
References
Geda, Y.E. et al. (201 3). "Caloric intake, aging,
and mild cognitive impairment: a population-
based study." J Alzheimers Dis. 34(2): 501-7.
doi: 10.3233/JAD-121270.
Hamilton, J. (201 0). "Overeating, Like Drug
Use, Rewards And Alters Brain." December 1:
ww w.npr.org/201 0/12/01/131698228
/overeating-like-drug-use-rewards-and-.alters
-brain.
Klodas, E.(2009). "Obesity Epidemic:Overeating
AlonetoBiame."May11:www.webmd.com/diet
/news/20090511 /obesity-epidemic-overeating
-alone-to-blame.
Lee,E.(2009)."Compulsive Overeating and How
to Stop it." www.webmd.com/diet/features
/compulsive-overeating-and-how-to-stop-it.
Reichenberger Mclndoo, H. (2011). "6 Ways
to Stop Overeating." www.prevention.com
/weight-loss/weight-loss-tips/tips-how-stop
-overeating.
ScienceDaily.com. (2011). "Live Longer
With Fewer Calories? Key Enzyme
Involved in Aging Process Found."
November 1: www.sciencedaily.com/releases
/2011/10/111 031215938.htm.
ScienceDaily.com. (2012). "Overeating
May Double Risk of Memory Loss." February 13:
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02
/120213083717.htm.
WebMD.com. (2011). "Healthy Eating-
Overview." www.webmd.com/food-recipes/tc
/healthy-eating-overview.
www.gardavita.com 19