Comments on: Low-calorie diets improve memory in old age

By: Anatolie

Anatolie — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:59:42 +0000

There is another study on monkeys:
.. two groups of squirrel monkeys. One group was on a low-calorie diet (30% calorie restricted), while the other were on a normal diet. In both groups, the diets continued throughout their lives until they died of natural causes. They found that the monkeys in the low-calorie diet group were much less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease type brain changes than the monkeys in the normal diet group.

By: Super Science Fair Projects

Super Science Fair Projects — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:21:58 +0000

When developing a science fair project it is important to look for unique cause and effect relationships. For example, as this blog points out, the possible link between a low calorie diet and improved memory function in old age.

By: Enhance Memory

Enhance Memory — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 07:37:14 +0000

Amazing article!To reduce calories, as opposed to carbohydrates, it is near certain that the subjects reduced both carbohydrate and total food intake. The reduced insulin levels are almost certainly a direct result of the reduced food intake, in particular the reduced carbohydrate intake. you can get more information about enhancing memory from this as well.

By: Bill Moody

Bill Moody — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:10:17 +0000

Oh, sorry, missed the c-reactive protein comment. Over the short term (definitely 3 months), high adrenalin and cortisol levels will most likely reduce inflammation (and c-reactive protein levels). But, ironically, over the long term they increase inflammation which likely plays a significant role in heart attacks, strokes and possibly even Alzheimer’s.

By: Bill Moody

Bill Moody — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 01:41:41 +0000

Thanks for the complete summary of the study — something missing in most media reports. The study “proves” a great deal less than it purports to prove and than has been attributed to it. It is so poorly constructed — the sample size, the methodology (diaries), and the duration are all inadequate — that one can only regard its findings and especially its stated conclusions as unreliable and trivial as well as dangerously misleading.
First, the duration (three months) makes drawing any conclusions hazardous.
Second, the memory test employed involves short-term memory. As you correctly point out, insulin plays an important role in protecting long-term memory which was apparently not tested.
Third, while too much insulin is indeed not helpful, it is highly unlikely (close to impossible) that a normal insulin-sensitive person could develop insulin-resistance in three months. It is also very unlikely that anyone within the age group of this experiment who was insulin-resistant could become insulin-sensitive within the 3 month period. I would suggest that the reduced insulin levels of themselves most likely had nothing to do with the change in memory.
To reduce calories, as opposed to carbohydrates, it is near certain that the subjects reduced both carbohydrate and total food intake. The reduced insulin levels are almost certainly a direct result of the reduced food intake, in particular the reduced carbohydrate intake.
Moreover, reducing one’s food intake and especially carbohydrate intake is very likely to produce an increase in both adrenalin and cortisol levels because this is how the body triggers internal sugar production when there is insufficient sugar being eaten, which sugar the brain requires constantly. The higher adrenalin and cortisol levels are the more likely cause of the increased short term memory. However, over the long term, having levels of adrenalin and cortisol higher than insulin will lead to accelerated aging including memory, especially long-term memory, impairment. The “good news” is that chronic higher levels of those hormones also cause heart attacks and strokes, so one might not live long enough to lose one’s memory.

By: Ford

Ford — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:12:26 +0000

If a hypothesis we are trying to publish is correct, semisweet chocolate is probably beneficial, if anything. I can’t say anything more yet, unfortunately.

By: Monado

Monado — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 06:28:47 +0000

Hi, Ed! I’d guess it’s the fat. Supposedly a very low-fat diet leaves you with capillaries that are less clogged and better circulation (hence more oxygen in the brain).

By: Lilian Nattel

Lilian Nattel — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:42:30 +0000

I wonder if the benefits are long-term or whether the reduction in calories only works until the body gets used to the new regime. In any case, I tend to agree with your wife. Is more memory worth less chocolate?