A cross-sectional study on the impact of caloric restriction on cognitive performance of young and aged males: Role of physical activity

Abstract

Background: Stress is an acknowledged part of normal aging. Lifestyle choices can influence age-related declines in cognition. It has been discovered that caloric restriction protects aging processes and downregulates normal aging by lowering stress. This study assessed the effects of caloric restriction (CR) and physical activity (PA) on age-related cognitive changes. Methods: From the low-income and middle-income healthy population, 236 males with ages ranging from 20 to 35 years and 300 males with ages ranging from 55 to 70 years were selected. Information was obtained about socioeconomic status, health status, physical activity level (PAL), cognitive function as assessed by the Mini-Cog and 6 CIT, and calorie intake through the completion of questionnaires. Results: When comparing the elderly group to the younger members of the same calorie group, the AP diet (at-par i.e. diet consumed in an amount equal to the energy needed for 24 hours) reduced cognitive function. The CR diet enhanced the patients’ cognitive abilities more in the younger group than in the older one. Regardless of age or caloric intake, subjects’ cognition was positively affected by high PAL relative to low PAL. Conclusion: (a) Both young people on a CR diet and elderly people on an AP diet have enhanced cognitive capacities. (b) Regardless of calorie consumption, high PAL, as opposed to low PAL, improves cognition in both young and old populations.