Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have found new evidence suggesting that structured healthy lifestyle habits may help slow important aspects of aging in older adults. The findings, published in The Journals of Gerontology, are based on the Alzheimer’s Association’s U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER), one of the largest clinical trials examining whether lifestyle interventions can protect brain health and support healthy aging.
The U.S. POINTER trial previously showed that practical and accessible healthy lifestyle interventions could help preserve cognitive function in older adults at increased risk of cognitive decline. In the latest analysis, researchers examined whether these same interventions could also reduce frailty, a major measure used in aging research. Frailty reflects the accumulation of health problems over time and is strongly associated with chronic disease, disability, reduced independence and mortality. The new findings suggest that healthy behaviours such as regular exercise, healthy eating, social engagement and mentally stimulating activities may collectively help slow certain aspects of the aging process.
The two-year randomised clinical trial involved more than 2,100 adults between the ages of 60 and 79 who were considered at elevated risk for cognitive decline. Participants were divided into two groups. One group participated in a structured lifestyle program that included coaching, goal setting and regular monitoring to encourage healthy eating, physical activity, social interaction and brain-stimulating activities. The second group followed a more independent, self-guided approach to improving health and wellness.
Researchers found that while both groups improved their frailty scores over time, participants enrolled in the structured program achieved significantly greater improvements in overall health and frailty reduction. According to the research team, the findings highlight the importance of organised support systems that provide accountability, encouragement, and ongoing guidance in helping older adults maintain healthy daily habits. The results suggest that structured programs may offer benefits beyond simply encouraging people to adopt healthier lifestyles on their own.
“These findings suggest that adopting accessible healthy behaviors may help slow important aspects of aging,” said Mark A. Espeland, lead author of the study and professor of gerontology, geriatrics and internal medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. “This shows the benefits of taking a structured approach to a healthy lifestyle. We know exercising and eating right is going to improve our health, but making efforts to participate in programs that offer guidance and accountability could be especially effective at keeping us healthy as we age.”
The study also found that participants in the structured intervention demonstrated stronger gains in cognitive performance. However, researchers noted that improvements in frailty alone did not fully explain the cognitive benefits observed during the trial, suggesting that multiple biological and behavioural pathways may contribute to healthier aging and brain health. Espeland added that the findings support growing evidence that targeting several areas of health simultaneously, rather than focusing on a single behaviour, may be one of the most effective ways to help older adults maintain independence, resilience and quality of life later in life.
More information: Mark A Espeland et al, Relative impact of multidomain lifestyle interventions on deficit accumulation frailty over 24 months in the U.S. POINTER trial, The Journals of Gerontology Series A. DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glag094
Journal information: The Journals of Gerontology Series A Provided by Wake Forest University School of Medicine
