Dietary Supplements and Phytopharmaceuticals for the Management of Cognitive Disorders

Age-related cognitive diseases are becoming a major public health concern, placing a significant financial cost on families, society, and individuals that cannot be overlooked. The risk and preventive variables for age-related cognitive diseases must, therefore, be identified in our daily lives. There is strong evidence in this context that during ageing, dietary changes may stop cognitive deficits. The degeneration of cholinergic neurons is thought to be associated with cognitive impairment. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of several causes of dementia. Despite the devastating effects of this disease, there is a shortage of novel molecules, and treatment strategies for Alzheimer’s disease remain limited, as many factors contribute to its etiology. Since there is presently no cure for AD or treatment that can halt the progression of AD and related cognitive disorders, the failure of currently available drugs for AD urges us to search for a new strategy for its prevention and treatment. Dietary factors are persuasive modifiable contributors to age-related cognitive decline. Nutrition and proper diet have a potential impact on neurodegenerative diseases, and it is suggested that certain nutrients or food components, as well as phytopharmaceuticals, may prevent cognitive decline. Furthermore, different food preferences have been investigated in relation to their impact on cognition, indicating that any benefits from dietary factors may result from the synergistic interactions of diverse foods and nutrients. In this chapter, we review the integrative treatment strategies for cognitive stimulation, the role of dietary supplements, and their probable impact on cognitive decline. In addition, the possible mechanisms by which dietary/metabolic factors mediate the effects of AD and cognitive decline and also the role of phytopharmaceuticals as therapeutic agent for neurological disorders are being discussed. A healthy world may, ideally, become a reality soon, given the acceptance and efficacy of herbal medicines.