Association of Adherence to the Mediterranean-Style Diet with Lower Frailty Index in Older Adults.

Identifying modifying protective factors to promote healthy aging is of utmost public health importance. The frailty index (FI) reflects the accumulation of health deficits and is one widely used method to assess health trajectories in aging. Adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet (MTD) has been associated with favorable health trajectories.

Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet Protects from Cognitive Decline in the Invecchiare in Chianti Study of Aging.

Following a Mediterranean diet high in plant-based foods and fish, low in meat and dairy foods, and with moderate alcohol intake has been shown to promote healthy aging. Therefore, we examined the association between a Mediterranean diet and trajectories of cognitive performance in the InCHIANTI study. Subjects ( = 832) were examined every 2⁻3 years up to 18 years with an average follow-up period of 10.

Late-life depressive symptoms are associated with both hyperactivity and hypoactivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Objective: Although depression has been associated with hyperactivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, recent studies among depressed elderly have found decreased cortisol levels, which may be due to underlying physical frailty associated with HPA-axis hypoactivity. The authors examined the relationship between urinary cortisol level and late-life depressive symptoms. The authors also explored whether hypo- and hypercortisolemic depressive symptoms are qualitatively different.

Anemia is associated with disability and decreased physical performance and muscle strength in the elderly.

Objectives: To examine the association between anemia and disability, physical performance, and muscle strength in older persons.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Community-dwelling older persons in the Chianti area in Italy.

A comparison of leg power and leg strength within the InCHIANTI study: which influences mobility more?

Background: In a clinical study evaluating the functioning of mobility-limited elders, muscle power accounted for more of the variation in function than strength did. There was also evidence that the power-function relationship may be described as curvilinear. However, these findings have never been confirmed in a representative population.