Why brain health matters, and how science, collaboration, and the choices we make each day can help shape healthier brains and better lives. These reflections, inspired by the recent ILSI Europe symposium on Nutrition for the Ageing Brain, highlight the power of connection between research, practice, and people.
By Prof. Jelena Helene Cvejic
The more the topic of brain health unfolds, the clearer its inter-connections with other systems in the body become - and the more its fascinating complexity reveals itself. These connections are shaped through dynamic interactions between our brain, hormones, immune responses and metabolism. Each system influences and is influenced by brain function, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to brain health.
Today, brain-related disorders are increasingly affecting people’s quality of life and their overall health - elevating brain health to a major global concern. Neurological conditions impact more than 1 in 3 people worldwide and have become the leading cause of illness and disability. This growing burden calls for action - not only to deepen our understanding of the underlying processes, but also to translate scientific knowledge into significant changes in people’s lives, creating lasting impact.
Achieving this demands collaboration across disciplines and sectors, drawing on diverse perspectives and areas of expertise. Such an approach supports the use of knowledge, technologies, and strategies that can meaningfully advance brain health - both now and into the future.
A great example of this approach was the recent ILSI Europe Symposium on Nutrition for the Ageing Brain, held in Crete last month, which was a truly inspiring gathering. The event offered important insights into how nutrition can impact brain health, with a strong focus on translating science into practical, real-world strategies. Throughout the meeting, the exchange between academic and industry experts reaffirmed that our daily dietary choices and lifestyle habits can have a profound influence on both brain health and overall well-being.
For instance, one speaker shared that a high intake of ultra-processed foods - rich in sugars, oils, fats, salt, and additives (which accounts for over 60% of calories consumed in the Western diet), has been linked to negative effects on the ageing process, including brain ageing, and is increasingly connected to neuroinflammation contributing to the development of depressive symptoms (Prof. O. Contreras Rodriguez, UAB Barcelona, in Session 2: Biomarkers of Cognitive Ageing and Nutrition: Current Advances and Future Directions).
Food-based approaches to improving nutritional status have shown promising effects on key health outcomes, including cognitive function and quality of life. The Mediterranean diet, for example, has been proposed as a strategy to reduce dementia risk and help prevent cognitive decline (Dr Claire McEvoy, Queen's University Belfast, in Session 6: The Intersection of Sex, Nutrition, and Socioeconomic Inequalities: Implications for Health in Old Age). Similarly, the MIND diet, a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diets, may modulate the metabolism of the amino acid tryptophan, contributing to neuroprotection (Prof Y. Vermeiren, Wageningen University, in Session 3: Nutritional Interventions for Frailty, Sarcopenia, and Cognitive Function).
Given the detrimental effects of current lifestyle patterns, there is also growing interest in nutraceutical interventions that can mitigate the impact of unhealthy diets and support cognitive health. Rosmarinic acid was one such example discussed, which has shown potential in protecting against Western diet-induced cognitive impairments (Dr C. Musillo, Center for Behavioral sciences and mental health, Italy, in Session 5: Nutrition in old age for mental health: focus on brain plasticity, cognition and mood disorders).
In addition, shared insights into neurogenesis - the creation of new neurons, essential for brain health, highlighted the importance of modifiable factors that influence this process. While adult hippocampal neurogenesis, which supports memory, learning, and emotional balance, naturally declines with age, it can be influenced by diet, physical activity and stress (Prof. S. Thuret, King's College London, in Session 5: ibidem).
These are just a few reflections on brain health, that were shaped by the recent ILSI symposium. Alongside the topics I’ve touched on here, the symposium also explored a wide range of subjects including emerging technologies, socioeconomic factors, and other dimensions influencing the future of brain health.
By definition, brain health, according to the World Health Organisation, refers to the state of brain functioning across cognitive, sensory, social-emotional, behavioural, and motor domains - enabling individuals to realise their full potential throughout life, regardless of the presence or absence of disease. Truly supporting this potential means bringing science closer to everyday life, through practical strategies and supportive environments.
While there are certainly factors beyond our control, science increasingly points to the power of those we can influence. This offers a valuable opportunity: to take small but meaningful steps and make an impact on our own brain health, overall well-being, and quality of life.
The bridges between knowledge and action have already been built. Now is the time to use them with purpose, strengthen the chain of impact, and keep shaping the paths that lead to healthier brains and better lives.
Prof. Jelena Helene Cvejic
KU Leuven, Belgium; University of Novi Sad, Serbia
Member of ILSI Europe Board of Directors