Working Memory and Inadequate Micronutrient Consumption in Healthy Seniors

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether inadequate intake of micronutrients, as defined by the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) according to gender, is associated with lower working memory performance in healthy seniors.

Method: 601 female and 530 male seniors (≥60 years) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included. Analyses of the association between RDA micronutrient reference levels and having a memory performance score in the lowest quartile were stratified by gender. Logistic regression was used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios for having a memory performance score in the lowest quartile for individuals with inadequate RDA levels compared to adequate RDA levels.

Results: Over half of participants had inadequate intake of vitamin C, choline, and zinc. Men who had less than the RDA of choline from their food were more likely to be in the lowest memory performance quartile, while women who with inadequate B₂ were more likely to be in the lowest quartile.

Discussion: Inadequate intake of micronutrients was significantly associated with lower working memory performance.

Keywords:

• Cognitive functioning
• diet
• micronutrients
• seniors
• working memory