Hyderabad study links low vitamin levels to mild cognitive impairment in older adults

A Hyderabad study by ICMR-NIN researchers has found an association between lower levels of several vitamins and mild cognitive impairment in older adults. The researchers say adequate nutrition may support healthy cognitive ageing, but further studies are needed to establish causation.

Hyderabad: If you aren’t getting enough vitamins as you grow older, your memory and brain health could pay the price. A stark warning from a groundbreaking new study by researchers at the Hyderabad-based ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) on Monday indicated.

The message from NIN is clear: do not overlook your diet. As the years add up, ensuring meals are packed with vitamin-rich foods, such as leafy greens, whole grains, dairy, and lean proteins, alongside safe exposure to sunlight for Vitamin D, may serve as a powerful shield for memory.

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The study titled ‘Neuronal Biomarkers and Micronutrient Status in Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment’, published in the international journal Nutrients (July, 2026), has revealed a direct, undeniable connection between what older adults put on their plates and how well their brains age, signaling that nutritional gaps could be an overlooked driver of early cognitive decline.

According to the study findings, 36.4 per cent of participants (55 to 85 years) displayed Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), an intermediate stage between normal aging and dementia where individuals experience measurable, noticeable slips in memory and thinking while still managing daily tasks independently.

Individuals struggling with MCI consistently showed lower blood levels of essential micronutrients, with deficiencies in Vitamin D, Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), and Vitamin B9 (folate) being especially prevalent. Deficiencies in vitamins B1, B6, and B12 were also notably higher in the cognitive decline group, the researchers said.

On a positive note, older adults who maintained good vitamin levels, particularly Vitamins D and B6, performed significantly better on structured memory and thinking tests.

Led by Dr G Bhanuprakash Reddy, Head (Biochemistry) NIN, the study group made it clear that further long-term trials are underway to establish exact cause-and-effect mechanisms through targeted supplementation.

“Healthy aging requires attention not only to disease management but also to nutritional well-being. Maintaining adequate micronutrient status and strengthening early nutritional assessments among older adults are vital strategies to protect cognitive health,” said Dr Bharati Kulkarni, Director, ICMR-NIN.