Consequently, the potential of nutritional intervention
to prevent or delay cognitive impairment and the development
of AD is a subject of growing scientific interest. Elevated saturated
fatty acids could have negative effects on age-related cognitive
decline and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Furthermore,
at present, epidemiological evidence suggests a possible
association between fish consumption, monounsaturated fatty
acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; in particular, n-3
PUFA) and a reduced risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Poorer cognitive function and an increased risk of vascular dementia
(VaD) were found to be associated with a lower consumption
of milk or dairy products. Among different dietary
patterns, recent prospective studies provided evidence that a
higher adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet (MedDiet) could
be associated with slower cognitive decline, reduced risk of
progression from MCI to AD, reduced risk of AD, and decreased
all-cause mortality in AD patients (47-49).