The MIND Diet Debacle: Crucial Oversights and Implications

The MIND Diet Debacle: Uncovering the Randomized Controlled Trial's Oversights and Implications

Chapters:

0:52 It's an ideological war
4:13 Understanding the Mind Diet
9:52 Analyzing the Randomized Control Trial
17:10 Analyzing Study Design and Control Variables
21:00 Assessing Adherence and Blood Test Results
22:35 Results and Cognitive Performance Trends

In this episode, we dive deep into the recent, much anticipated randomized controlled trial on the MIND diet. The headlines were ablaze with the dissapointing, less-than-stellar results of the study, but was it truly the diet that didn't work as well as it should have, or was the methodology flawed?

We discussed the background of the findings on the MIND diet in previous studies and its effect on cognitive health, the detailed methodology of the current randomized controlled trial, its outcomes and how it impacts our understanding of nutrition and brain health.

Citations: Barnes, Lisa L., et al. "Trial of the MIND Diet for Prevention of Cognitive Decline in Older Persons." New England Journal of Medicine (2023).

we delve deep into the fascinating world of nutritional science, as we dissect the highly anticipated Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of the MIND Diet. Join us on this journey as we scrutinize the study's methodology, uncover overlooked aspects, and explore its implications for cognitive health. Discover the surprising results and potential flaws in the trial, which aimed to decipher the impact of the MIND Diet on cognitive decline. From dietary interventions to unexpected challenges like the global pandemic, we leave no stone unturned. Join us in this quest for truth and understanding in the realm of nutrition, lifestyle, and cognitive well-being

[maggietaylor]

Thankyou. I trust your discussions because you explain in depth what values are at play in the studies. Fascinating.
I'm lucky enough to eat out of my garden and would advocate people in cities need access to land and support to learn how to grow. The brain health benefits of going to the garden cannot be over emphasized,
Thankyou.

[GreenTurtle]

Love this discussion and all the hard work you’re doing concerning cognition. I’m determined it is not going to be my fate.

[leahblackburn]

This was so good and very informative. Thank you so much. Also, I received your NEURO plan via email! Thank you so much for this as well. I love a daily checklist! I am going to order your book at the end of the month too. Cant wait to read it.

[lindafleming]

Repeated tests make a difference. This is happening to me. I've been given these tests 4 times in a year. I didn't decline on those tests, but my Neuropsychology testing showed MCI. I am 62 and definitely seeing cognitive decline in my daily living. I have very high cognitive reserve which I think definitely affects this.

[galaxytrio]

Good review. I really like that you are making such an effort to be directed by the data.

[patangel]

Thank you for your passion in helping with this dreadful disese

[juliashearer]

Perhaps, as suggested, the required 250 calorie deficit of the control, plus the other ongoing monitoring, meant that their diets naturally improved?

[k.h.]

Yeah, 'listen to your body ' is misleading. Tell that to an addict and they'll increase their intake.

[carolinebazin]

Thank You for the Discussion and your input! I'm afraid that people who live with MS would stay away from the MIND Diet (Mediterranean diet) when they hear that the white matter lesions was getting worse with time or no improvement, but I think a plant based diet with healthy oils is good brain diet WITH sleep, mindfulness, movement, pacing etc. It would be very interesting to have more Research about this topic though.

[skp]

I wonder if they took into account the participants APoE status? As an APoE 2/3 manages cholesterol so differently than an APoE 4/4. Also, not sure you can discount the fact that the most nutrient dense foods are meat. There are many people on the Carnivore diet that are thriving.

[Battery-kfvu]

Some time ago some scientists were wondering why there didn't seem to be increased benefits from eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, and it was speculated that it was because of the increased intake of pesticides, microplastics etc, even on the mediterranean diet. So could it be because of that that the MIND diet didn't do better? I'd be curious to know what the proportion of organic foods were eaten by the MIND participants.

[sdraven]

I'm curious if the control group was maybe influenced by tech algorithms that provided more information on cognitive health based on online activity. On the surface it looks like the bulk of the beneficial results were the cause of caloric restriction.

[richrdrashid]

When I SAW YOU YOUR BIG TEA GLASS ES‌, I REALIZED U ARE REAL AFGHANS

[Caladcholg]

I think ketone bodies are the best for brain health