Nutrition & Diet

Structured Lifestyle Program Boosts Cognition 55% More Than Basic Health Advice in Older Adults

The LatAm-FINGERS trial followed older adults at risk of dementia across 11 Latin American countries for two years. Participants in a structured lifestyle program combining exercise, healthy eating, cognitive training, and social engagement showed significantly greater improvements in memory and thinking than those given standard health advice — about 55% more benefit. The program was culturally adapted, incorporating local foods, music-based exercise like salsa and tango, and community-based support. Published in The Lancet and presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2026, these findings extend earlier U.S. POINTER results globally, showing that multi-domain lifestyle interventions can protect brain health across diverse populations with varying resources.