Patients are increasingly interested in dietary patterns and overall health strategies to promote healthy aging. From limiting processed foods, to increasing fruit and vegetable intake, to taking certain supplements – there are a lot of questions about what might help. Try to steer patients in the right direction.
When it comes to dietary strategies, encourage patients to focus on eating nutrient-dense whole foods. While there are many specific diets out there, the Mediterranean diet has the best evidence of benefit for reducing dementia risk – strict adherence has been linked with both reduced risk for dementia and improvements in disease progression. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a Mediterranean-like diet to all adults to slow cognitive decline. Plus, the Mediterranean diet encourages limiting processed food and sugar intake, both of which are at the center of many current discussions on healthy lifestyle strategies.
As for supplements, be prepared to focus on specific aspects of aging when addressing questions. Some patients might aim to promote healthy aging overall, while others might have more targeted goals focusing on musculoskeletal health, nutrition, cardiovascular health, or cognitive health. For example, creatine is in the spotlight for slowing musculoskeletal aging and cognitive function. Most research shows that taking creatine while engaging in a resistance training program can increase upper and/or lower body muscle strength in older adults. As for cognitive function, early clinical research shows some improvements, but other data aren’t consistent.
Learn more about healthy aging strategies and important safety considerations in our 1.5 hour interactive CE course on Supplements for Healthy Aging.
The information in this brief report is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions. Copyright © 2025 NatMed. Commercial distribution or reproduction prohibited. NatMed is the leading provider of high-quality, evidence-based, clinically-relevant information on natural medicine, dietary supplements, herbs, vitamins, minerals, functional foods, diets, complementary practices, CAM modalities, exercises and medical conditions. Monograph sections include interactions with herbs, drugs, foods and labs, contraindications, depletions, dosing, toxicology, adverse effects, pregnancy and lactation data, synonyms, safety and effectiveness.
