Impact of dietary nutrition regimens based on body composition analysis on bone metabolism in Alzheimer’s disease patients
Authors: Wang Xue-Lian , Zhao Yi-Ran , Yu Ying , Mao Zhi-Fang , Tan Su-Xian , Yu Shan-Shan 
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND

Body composition analysis (BCA) is primarily used in the management of conditions such as obesity and endocrine disorders. However, its potential in providing nutritional guidance for patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains relatively unexplored.

AIM

To explore the clinical efficacy of BCA-based dietary nutrition scheme on bone metabolism in AD patients.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 96 patients with AD complicated by osteoporosis who were admitted to The Third Hospital of Quzhou between January 2023 and December 2024. Based on data from previous similar studies, the patients were randomly assigned to either a routine diet (RD) group (n = 48) or a personalized nutrition (PN) group (n = 48). The RD group received conventional dietary guidance, while the PN group received individualized diet intervention measures based on human BCA. The intervention period lasted for 12 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD), body mass index (BMI), muscle mass, mineral content, osteocalcin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP), beta C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX), and serum calcium were measured and compared between the two groups before and 12 weeks after the intervention.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed between groups in terms of age, sex, height, BMI, or other baseline data (P > 0.05). In both groups, BMI did not show significant changes after the intervention (P > 0.05), whereas muscle mass and mineral content were significantly increased (P < 0.05). After the intervention, BMI in the PN group did not differ significantly from that of the RD group, but muscle mass and mineral content were significantly higher in the PN group (P < 0.05). After the intervention, a higher proportion of patients in the PN group had a T score > -1 compared to the RD group (P < 0.05). The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score was similar in both groups before the intervention. However, 12 weeks after the intervention, the MMSE score in the PN group was significantly higher than that in the RD group (P < 0.05). In both groups, the MMSE score significantly increased 12 weeks post-intervention compared to pre-intervention levels (P < 0.05). Before the intervention, the levels of osteocalcin, serum calcium, PINP, β-CTX, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). After 12 weeks of intervention, the PN group exhibited higher levels of osteocalcin, serum calcium, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D, as well as lower levels of PINP and β-CTX, compared to the RD group (P < 0.05). In both groups, osteocalcin, serum calcium, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly higher, while PINP and β-CTX levels were significantly lower after 12 weeks of intervention compared to baseline (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The human BCA-based dietary nutrition regimen plays a crucial role in improving BMD and bone metabolism, with effects that surpass those of conventional nutrition strategies. The findings of this study provide strong evidence for the nutritional management of AD patients.