Search Results (154)

Background: Accelerated demographic aging in Hungary and across Europe presents significant public health and socioeconomic challenges, particularly in preserving cognitive function and preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Modifiable lifestyle factors—especially dietary habits—play a critical role in brain aging and cognitive decline. Objective: This narrative review explores the mechanisms by which Western dietary patterns contribute to cognitive impairment and neurovascular aging, with specific attention to their relevance in the Hungarian context. It also outlines the rationale and design of the Semmelweis Study and its workplace-based health promotion program targeting lifestyle-related risk factors. Methods: A review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted focusing on Western diet, cognitive decline, cerebrovascular health, and dietary interventions. Emphasis was placed on mechanistic pathways involving systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and decreased neurotrophic support. Key findings: Western dietary patterns—characterized by high intakes of saturated fats, refined sugars, ultra-processed foods, and linoleic acid—are associated with elevated levels of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a lipid peroxidation product linked to neuronal injury and accelerated cognitive aging. In contrast, adherence to Mediterranean dietary patterns—particularly those rich in polyphenols from extra virgin olive oil and moderate red wine consumption—supports neurovascular integrity and promotes brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) activity. The concept of “cognitive frailty” is introduced as a modifiable, intermediate state between healthy aging and dementia. Application: The Semmelweis Study is a prospective cohort study involving employees of Semmelweis University aged ≥25 years, collecting longitudinal data on dietary, psychosocial, and metabolic determinants of aging. The Semmelweis–EUniWell Workplace Health Promotion Model translates these findings into practical interventions targeting diet, physical activity, and cardiovascular risk factors in the workplace setting. Conclusions: Improving our understanding of the diet–brain health relationship through population-specific longitudinal research is crucial for developing culturally tailored preventive strategies. The Semmelweis Study offers a scalable, evidence-based model for reducing cognitive decline and supporting healthy aging across diverse populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely used indicator of children’s nutritional status and helps identify risks of being underweight and overweight during development. Understanding how BMI classifications evolve over time is crucial for early intervention and public health planning. This study aimed to determine the scope and direction of changes in BMI classification among children between the ages of 6 and 10. Methods: This longitudinal study included 1026 children (497 boys and 529 girls) from Gdansk, Poland. Standardized anthropometric measurements were collected at ages 6 and 10. BMI was calculated and classified using international reference systems (IOTF and OLAF). BMI classification changes were analyzed using rank transformations and Pearson correlation coefficients (p < 0.05) to explore relationships between body measurements. Results: Most children (76.51%) retained their BMI classifications over the four-year period. However, 23.49% experienced changes, with boys more often moving to a higher BMI category (15.29%) and girls more frequently shifting to a lower category (14.03%). The prevalence of children classified as living with obesity declined between ages 6 and 10, while both overweight and underweight classifications slightly increased. Strong correlations were observed between somatic features and BMI at both ages. Conclusions: The stability of BMI classification over time underscores the importance of early identification and sustained monitoring of nutritional status. The sex-specific patterns observed highlight the importance of targeted health promotion strategies. In this context, incorporating dietary interventions—such as promoting balanced meals and reducing unhealthy food intake—could play a significant role in maintaining healthy BMI trajectories and preventing both obesity and undernutrition during childhood. Full article

Background: A growing body of evidence suggests that diet can modify Parkinson’s disease (PD) outcomes, although there is disagreement about what should be included and excluded in such a diet. Existing evidence suggests that adherence to the MIND and Mediterranean (MEDI) diets are associated with reduced PD symptoms, but only a few variables from the adherence scales are responsible for the statistically observed improvement. Objectives: The goal was to use patient-reported outcomes in a large cohort to identify the foods and dietary patterns (PRO diet) most strongly associated with the fewest PD symptoms over time, and to develop a composite adherence scale to enable comparisons between MEDI, MIND, and PRO. Methods: Data were obtained from the prospective longitudinal natural history study and from Modifiable Variables in Parkinsonism (MVP)—a study designed to identify behaviors associated with patient-reported outcomes (PRO-PD). Upon the completion of the binary and food frequency data collection, using various predictive models and considering congruence with historical data, the PRO diet was created via an iterative process. Our goal was to create a new scale and compare its performance to the existing MIND and MEDI scores. The comparison was made at baseline, using the regression models for PRO-PD and the different scales as the predictors. The models were compared via the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). To examine whether baseline adherence levels predicted subsequent symptom trajectories, the baseline PRO diet adherence and subsequent slope of progression were evaluated. Results: Data from 2290 individuals with PD were available for this analysis. The Mediterranean and MIND diets showed almost identical effects. For both the diets, the effect they had on non-motor symptoms was about twice the effect on motor symptoms. The slopes for the total PRO-PD for MEDI, MIND, and PRO-21 were −64.20467, −64.04220, and −28.61995, respectively. The AIC value differences were substantial (>2), indicating meaningful improvements in the model fit for total PRO-PD, as follows: MEDI: 28,897.24, MIND: 28,793.08, and PRO-21: 27,500.71. The subset of individuals who were most adherent to the PRO-21 diet at baseline had the slowest subsequent progression, as measured by a 43% reduced PRO-PD slope, compared to the less adherent groups. Conclusions: The PRO-21 outperformed the MIND and MEDI diets in the model fit, overcoming the ceiling effects and showing orders of magnitude and superior explanatory power for variance in PD outcomes, despite the smaller per-unit effect sizes. However, its rigorous demands may introduce barriers related to cost, feasibility, and sustainability, underscoring the need for future intervention trials to assess real-world feasibility, adherence, side effects, and clinical impact. Full article

Background: Obesity is a global health challenge associated with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) body constitution theory offers a unique perspective on individual susceptibility to obesity; however, its integration into public health strategies remains underexplored. Objective: To examine the associations between vegetarian dietary patterns, TCM body constitution types (Phlegm stasis, Yang deficiency, and Yin deficiency), and overweight/obesity in a large-scale national cohort. Methods: Data were obtained from 3597 participants enrolled in the Taiwan Biobank. Socio-demographic variables, lifestyle behaviors (diet, smoking, physical activity), and anthropometric indicators (BMI and waist circumference) were assessed. Participants were categorized by weight status and TCM body constitution. Polytomous logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between vegetarian dietary patterns, constitution types, and overweight/obesity, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Among participants (mean age, 50.1 ± 9.4 years), 55.6% had normal BMI, 27.3% were overweight, and 17.1% were obese. Vegetarian dietary patterns were significantly associated with lower odds of Phlegm stasis (OR: 0.96; p < 0.001), Yang deficiency (OR: 0.97; p < 0.001), and Yin deficiency (OR: 0.97; p < 0.001), as well as with lower odds of overweight (OR: 0.72; p < 0.05) and obesity (OR: 0.67; p < 0.05). Physical activity was also associated with lower odds of all three constitution types and obesity. Phlegm stasis constitution was associated with higher odds of obesity (range of ORs: 1.18–1.58; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Vegetarian dietary patterns and regular physical activity were associated with lower odds of obesity and TCM constitution imbalances, particularly Phlegm stasis. These findings suggest a potential role for constitution-informed strategies in obesity-related public health approaches. Longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify temporal relationships and mechanisms. Clinical Trials Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03938207 (Study Start: 1 October 2022). Full article

Background/Objectives: Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence is associated with a lower risk of developing several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, cancer, and mental health diseases. University students are vulnerable to mental disorders that considerably affect their well-being and quality of life, which may be ascribed to the stressful environment during their academic studies. This cross-sectional survey designed to explore the relationship between MD compliance and perceived stress levels as well as sleep quality in a representative sample of university students from Greece. Methods: This survey assigned 5433 university students from 10 Greek regions. We used qualified questionnaires to examine the socio-demographics of the assigned students. Anthropometrics were determined by qualified methods. Validated questionnaires were used to determine diverse lifestyle factors like physical activity, perceived stress, sleep quality and MD adherence. Results: Concerning the primary objectives of this study, greater MD compliance was independently and significantly related to lower incidence of perceived stress and poor sleep quality in university students. As far as the secondary objectives of this study concern, greater MD compliance was independently and significantly related to female gender, rural type of residence, living with family, smoking, biomedicine studies, being normal weight, and having enhanced physical activity. Conclusions: This study reinforces the idea that healthy dietary patterns like MD could be a significant modifiable factor against perceived stress and poor sleep quality of university students. Based on this evidence, longitudinal studies should be performed to confirm whether MD can exert a causal effect on perceived stress and sleep quality. Full article

Background: Dietary patterns impact blood pressure (BP) levels, but the potential impact of replacing specific types of fats with proteins or carbohydrates, in isocaloric models, on BP remains unclear. Objective: This study evaluates the longitudinal association between the substitution of different types of fats with proteins or carbohydrates and changes in BP in a Mexican population. Methods: We analyzed data from 1448 adults (mean age at baseline: 45 years; 73.3% women) from the Health Workers Cohort Study, followed over 13 years. Trained personnel measured systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure following standard procedures and techniques at baseline and follow-up. Macronutrient intake was assessed with a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) for hypertension and fixed-effects linear regression for BP were conducted using isocaloric substitution models. Each estimate reflects the effect of a 3% energy substitution of specific fats for carbohydrates or proteins. Results: Substituting 3% of energy intake of polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) in place of vegetable protein (β = −2.94, 95% CI: −5.02, −0.86), animal protein (β = −2.68, 95% CI: −4.73, −0.63), low glycemic index (LGI) carbohydrates (β = −2.63, 95% CI: −4.40, −0.86), and high glycemic index (HGI) carbohydrates (β = −2.52, 95% CI: −4.31, −0.74) was associated with a significant reduction in SBP. Substituting 3% of the energy intake of PUFA in place of different types of carbohydrates was associated with lower odds of hypertension. PUFA was not associated with changes in DBP. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that exchanging PUFA for carbohydrates or proteins is associated with reduced SBP and a lower risk of hypertension, highlighting the importance of macronutrient composition independent of total energy intake and other fat types, which may have a substantial impact at the population level. Full article

Background/Objectives: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among youth is rising, and the increase is closely linked to unhealthy lifestyle patterns. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MetS among University of Rijeka students and investigate its associations with dietary habits, physical activity, gender, and faculty type (health and non-health faculties). Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted from September 2024 to March 2025 involved 217 randomly selected students from 16 faculties. The validated questionnaires Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), as well as a general data questionnaire, were used alongside anthropometric (height, weight, waist circumference) and biochemical measurements (fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol). MetS was diagnosed using a combination of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria and Polish Experts Consensus (2022) criteria. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Spearman’s correlation, and multivariate logistic regression. Results: MetS was identified in 5.5% of students. Significant risk factors included obesity (body mass index, BMI, p < 0.05), low physical activity (IPAQ-SF, p < 0.05), elevated blood pressure (p < 0.01), high triglyceride levels (p < 0.05), and increased waist-to-height ratio (WHtR, p < 0.01). Female students reported lower physical activity than males (p < 0.05), while students from non-health faculties had lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MEDAS, p < 0.05) and reduced physical activity (p < 0.05). Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet correlated with lower BMI and triglyceride levels (p < 0.05), whereas lower adherence was associated with reduced physical activity (Spearman’s r = −0.35, p < 0.01). Logistic regression with WHR as the dependent variable showed waist circumference (WC) as the strongest predictor (OR = 45.925, 95% CI: 5.238–402.666, p = 0.001), followed by triglycerides (OR = 3.395, 95% CI: 1.322–8.718, p = 0.011). BMI was inversely associated with WHR (OR = 0.068, 95% CI: 0.006–0.780, p = 0.031). HDL cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting glucose were not significant predictors (p > 0.05), indicating limited predictive power in this model. Conclusions: The 5.5% MetS prevalence underscores the need for targeted interventions promoting Mediterranean diet adherence and physical activity, particularly among non-health faculty students and females. Longitudinal studies are warranted to assess intervention efficacy. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aims to assess dietary quality among Chinese pregnant women across three gestational trimesters using different assessment indices while investigating the relationship between dietary patterns and longitudinal alterations in maternal body composition parameters and bone mineral density (BMD) during pregnancy. Methods: A total of 556 healthy pregnant women were recruited. Dietary intake was assessed utilizing a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Diet quality was evaluated through three indices: the Dietary Balance Index for Pregnant Women (DBI-P), the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), and the Eastern Health Diet Index (EHDI). Multiple linear regression models and mediation analyses were constructed to elucidate the relationships between dietary indices, body composition parameters, and BMD. Results: In the first trimester, excessive dietary intake was associated with increased maternal fat mass but reduced BMD, while insufficient intake correlated with declines in muscle mass, water compartments, and inorganic salt levels. Pro-inflammatory diets further exacerbated reductions in non-fat body composition, including protein and muscle mass. By the second trimester, low-quality diets continued to negatively affect muscle mass and water balance, whereas no significant dietary effects on body composition or BMD were observed in the third trimester. Mediation analyses revealed that body composition partially mediated the relationship between dietary imbalance and reduced BMD. Conclusions: Unbalanced, pro-inflammatory, and low-quality diets during early-to-mid pregnancy contribute to adverse changes in maternal body composition and bone health, especially in the first and second trimesters, with the DBI-P index demonstrating superior applicability for assessing dietary impacts in Chinese pregnant women. Full article

Background/Objectives: Emotional eating has been recognized as the tendency to eat in response to emotions, being recognized as a crucial risk factor for recurrent weight gain. Emotional eating has been interrelated with obesity/overweight, depression, anxiety, stress, and specific dietary habits at any stage of human life, negatively affecting human quality of life. The present study aims to summarize and explore the effects of emotional eating on children and how these effects may, in turn, influence their mental and physical health at the next stages of their lives. Methods: This is a narrative review of the presently existing clinical evidence concerning the impact of emotional eating in children. A comprehensive search of the most reliable online databases, e.g., PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, was performed utilizing relevant keywords. Several inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to collect only cross-sectional, longitudinal, descriptive, and case–control surveys in children’s populations. Results: The current clinical evidence suggests that parental behavior may increase the risk of emotional eating in children. Several pieces of evidence also implied potential associations of emotional eating with overweight/obesity and mental disorders in children. Children’s dietary habits may also affect their risk of developing emotional eating. Conclusions: The prevalence of emotional eating is gradually increasing in the general population, and especially in children. Public strategies should be performed to educate parents to recognize potential emotional eating behaviors in their children and to adopt more healthy dietary habits for their children, even in the first months of their life. Educational programs should be organized in school communities to directly educate children on the benefits of healthy dietary patterns. Full article

Background/Objectives: Child undernutrition remains a critical public health issue in Nepal, especially in the rural district of Solukhumbu. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical characteristics of undernutrition, dietary patterns, and related health indicators in school-aged children from the Shree Saraswoti Basic School in Phuleli. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between July and August 2022. Fifty-four children (51.8% boys; mean age 9.4 ± 2.1 years) were evaluated using anthropometry, clinical examination, hemoglobin measurement, and three-day 24 h dietary recall. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: BMI z-scores indicated that 39% of children were at risk of acute undernutrition, and 2% were at risk of moderate acute undernutrition. After adjusting for altitude, 87% were classified as anemic. Diets were dominated by cereals and vegetables, with a very low intake of fruits and proteins and no dairy consumption. Dental caries affected 59% of participants. Girls presented slightly higher subcutaneous fat percentages; however, 14.8% of the children exceeded the recommended thresholds. A dietary assessment revealed poor eating habits, including excessive intake of simple carbohydrates and insufficient nutrient diversity. Although socioeconomic data were not directly collected, the findings reflect the typical context of the vulnerability of isolated mountain communities. Undernutrition indicators (BMI, clinical signs, anemia) were associated with poorer health outcomes. An unexpected moderate inverse correlation was found between BMI and both systolic (r = −0.601) and diastolic (r = −0.550) blood pressure. Conclusions: The findings reveal a high burden of undernutrition and anemia among children in Solukhumbu, linked to poor diet and structural vulnerability. Urgent, community-based interventions—including nutrition education, agricultural diversification, and improved healthcare access—are needed. Longitudinal monitoring is essential to track progress and design sustainable, multisectoral solutions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major pregnancy complication with rising global prevalence. The Mediterranean Diet (MD) has shown metabolic benefits, but total adherence scores may obscure meaningful variation in dietary quality. This study aimed to investigate whether specific dietary patterns, identified within the MD framework, and their glycemic load (GL) are associated with GDM risk. Methods: This prospective cohort is part of the BORN2020 longitudinal study on pregnant women in Greece; dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at two time points (pre-pregnancy and during pregnancy). MD adherence was categorized by Trichopoulou score tertiles. GL was calculated for food groups using glycemic index (GI) reference values and carbohydrate content. Dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis. Logistic regression models estimated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for GDM risk, stratified by MD adherence and time period, controlling for maternal, lifestyle, and clinical confounders. Results: In total, 797 pregnant women were included. Total MD adherence was not significantly associated with GDM risk. However, both food-specific GLs and dietary patterns with distinct dominant foods were predictive. GL from boiled greens/salads was consistently protective (aOR range: 0.09–0.19, p < 0.05). Patterns high in tea, coffee, and herbal infusions before pregnancy were linked to increased GDM risk (aOR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.31–3.02, p = 0.001), as were patterns rich in fresh juice, vegetables, fruits, legumes, and olive oil during pregnancy (aOR = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.50–6.24, p = 0.003). A pattern dominated by sugary sweets, cold cuts, animal fats, and refined products was inversely associated with GDM (aOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.17–0.64, p = 0.001). A pattern characterized by sugar alternatives was associated with higher risk for GDM (aOR = 4.94, 95% CI: 1.48–19.36, p = 0.014). These associations were supported by high statistical power (power = 1). Conclusions: Within the context of the MD, evaluating both the glycemic impact of specific food groups and identifying risk-associated dietary patterns provides greater insight into GDM risk than overall MD adherence scores alone. Full article

Background: Pediatric obesity represents a multifactorial condition in which gut microbiota dysbiosis, low-grade systemic inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction are intricately connected. Objectives: This systematic review sought to evaluate and integrate current findings regarding the interactions between gut microbial composition, dietary influences, inflammatory status, and metabolic outcomes in obese pediatric populations. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted for studies published from January 2010 onward. Eligible studies comprised randomized controlled trials, and cohort, cross-sectional, and longitudinal designs involving individuals aged ≤18 years. Study quality was appraised using the NIH Study Quality Assessment Tool. Results: Sixteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Dysbiosis was consistently observed among obese children, characterized by alterations in microbial diversity and abundance associated with increased inflammation and adverse metabolic profiles. Dietary interventions, notably symbiotic supplementation and adherence to Mediterranean diet patterns, were associated with favorable modulation of gut microbiota and inflammatory parameters. The majority of studies demonstrated high methodological quality, although minor observational limitations were noted. Conclusions: Gut microbiota dysregulation plays a central role in the development of metabolic and inflammatory complications associated with pediatric obesity. Although dietary and microbiota-modifying strategies show therapeutic promise, their effectiveness must be substantiated through robust, long-term studies. Full article

Background: Childhood obesity rates remain high in the United States, with long-term implications for physical and mental health. Emerging research suggests that caregiving arrangements, particularly those involving non-parental caregivers such as grandparents, may influence adolescent health behaviors, including diet and physical activity. This study examined whether caregiver type (parents-only, grandparents-only, or multi-generational households) during adolescence predicted dietary patterns and physical activity trajectories into young adulthood. Methods: Data were drawn from 6260 participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Caregiver type was identified at baseline (Wave 1), and dietary intake and physical activity were assessed across four waves from adolescence (~age 15) to early adulthood (~age 29). We employed generalized linear models and linear mixed-effects models with multiply imputed data to examine changes in sedentary behavior, individual exercise, and team sport participation over time, controlling for age, sex, and race. Results: Overall dietary intake at baseline did not significantly differ by caregiver type (Wilks’ Λ = 0.998, p = 0.389); however, an exploratory comparison indicated lower dairy consumption in homes with a grandparent present (t(6258) = 1.995, p = 0.046). Trajectories of individual exercise differed significantly by caregiver type over time (Time × Caregiver interaction: F(6, 10,395.601) = 2.795, p = 0.010), with adolescents in grandparent-only households reporting higher individual exercise at Wave 1. Sedentary behavior trajectories also significantly differed by caregiver group over time (Wave × Caregiver interaction: F(6, 18,951.310) = 23.026, p < 0.001). Baseline nutrition was positively associated with individual exercise trajectories into young adulthood (Time × Nutrition interaction: F(2.961, 13,096.103) = 3.974, p = 0.012). Conclusions: Caregiver structure during adolescence appears to shape long-term physical activity patterns, albeit modestly. These findings highlight the need to consider diverse family configurations—particularly grandparent-led households—when designing public health interventions to promote adolescent nutrition and physical activity. Full article

The increasing global burden of allergic diseases and multimorbidity underscores the urgent need for innovative strategies to strengthen immune health. This review explores the complex relationships among nutrition, gut microbiota, immune regulation, allergic diseases, and multimorbidity. It highlights how targeted nutritional and microbial interventions may influence disease outcomes. Dietary components and microbial metabolites dynamically modulated immune function, highlighting the critical role of the gut–immune–metabolism axis in disease pathogenesis and management. Personalized nutrition, guided by advances in diagnostics such as component-resolved diagnostics, basophil activation tests, and epigenetic biomarkers, allows for precise dietary interventions tailored to individual allergy phenotypes and multimorbidity profiles. The Mediterranean diet, breastfeeding, and microbiota-targeted therapies have emerged as effective strategies to enhance immune resilience, reduce inflammation, and manage allergic reactions. Technological advancements, including artificial intelligence-driven dietary assessments, wearable devices, and mobile applications, have further revolutionized personalized dietary management, enabling real-time, precise nutritional monitoring and intervention. Despite these advances, challenges in implementing personalized nutrition persist, including variability in dietary patterns, cultural and socioeconomic factors, and accessibility concerns. Future research should focus on long-term interventional and longitudinal studies to validate precision nutrition strategies and enhance clinical applicability. This integrative approach, combining nutrition, microbiome science, technology, and personalized healthcare, holds substantial promises for sustainable disease prevention and enhanced immune resilience across diverse populations. Full article

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, represent a growing global health crisis, yet current treatment strategies remain primarily palliative. Recent studies have shown that neurodegeneration through complex interactions within the gut–brain axis largely depends on the gut microbiota and its metabolites. This review explores the intricate molecular mechanisms linking gut microbiota dysbiosis to cognitive decline, emphasizing the impact of microbial metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile acids, and tryptophan metabolites, on neuroinflammation, blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity, and amyloid-β and tau pathology. The paper highlights major microbiome signatures associated with Alzheimer’s disease, detailing their metabolic pathways and inflammatory crosstalk. Dietary interventions have shown promise in modulating gut microbiota composition, potentially mitigating neurodegenerative processes. This review critically examines the influence of dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean and Western diets, on microbiota-mediated neuroprotection. Bioactive compounds like prebiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyphenols exhibit neuroprotective effects by modulating gut microbiota and reducing neuroinflammation. Furthermore, it discusses emerging microbiome-based therapeutic strategies, including probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), as potential interventions for slowing Alzheimer’s progression. Despite these advances, several knowledge gaps remain, including interindividual variability in microbiome responses to dietary interventions and the need for large-scale, longitudinal studies. The study proposes an integrative, precision medicine approach, incorporating microbiome science into Alzheimer’s treatment paradigms. Ultimately, cognizance of the gut–brain axis at a mechanistic level could unlock novel therapeutic avenues, offering a non-invasive, diet-based strategy for managing neurodegeneration and improving cognitive health. Full article