Following conventional health recommendations (cardio, low protein intake, standard food pyramid) could accelerate cognitive decline in midlife women.

noli's read

Dr. Lyon suggests a direct link between standard nutritional guidelines and neurodegeneration based on an individual clinical observation. While current research strongly supports the importance of muscle mass and adequate protein intake for metabolic health (meta-analyses, review in 'Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle'), the notion that global recommendations directly cause cognitive decline remains an extrapolation. Observational studies indicate that physical activity (including cardio) is broadly associated with better brain health and a reduced risk of dementia (cohort studies, Cochrane Reviews). There is a scientific consensus that nutrition and exercise are protective factors, although optimal protein requirements for perimenopausal women are the subject of active research. The cited anecdote is striking but does not constitute proof of causality for the general population, as cognitive decline is multifactorial (genetics, sleep, environment).

the sources

1. 1Morton RW, Murphy KT, McKellar SR, et al. 2018
2. 2Leidy HJ, Clifton PM, Astrup A, et al. 2015
3. 3Wu Y, Wang W, Liu T, Zhang D 2017
4. 4Li R, Xia J, Zhang X, et al. 2018