Learn and Go: Nutrients, Cognitive Function, and Brain Aging: What we have learned from dogs.

Are We Feeding Our Brains Wrong? And What can Dogs Teach Us About Cognitive Aging

Imagine waking up one day and realizing the world around you doesn’t quite make sense. The places you once knew feel unfamiliar. The people you love seem distant. Simple tasks take longer, and frustration sets in.

Now, imagine the same thing happening to your dog.

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) in dogs mirrors Alzheimer’s disease in humans, and as it turns out, our brains age in remarkably similar ways. But here’s the good news: research suggests nutrition can play a critical role in slowing cognitive decline.

I’m Dr. Laurie McCauley from Optimum Pet Vitality and I recently reviewed an article titled Nutrients, Cognitive Function, and Brain Aging: What We Have Learned from Dogs, and today, I want to share some fascinating insights—because what we’re learning from dogs might just help people, too.

The Aging Brain: What Happens?

As both dogs and humans age, the brain shrinks and deteriorates. Some of the most significant and irreversible changes include:

🧠 Cortical Atrophy – The loss of neurons leads to a smaller, less functional brain.
🧠 Hippocampal Shrinkage – This is especially important because the hippocampus is critical for learning and memory. In aged dogs, significant atrophy in the hippocampus and frontal lobe is observed, impairing their ability to process new information.
🧠 Amyloid Plaque Buildup – These toxic protein deposits disrupt brain function, just like in Alzheimer’s patients.
🧠 Enlarged Ventricles – This indicates a loss of brain tissue, worsening cognitive decline.
🧠 Reduced Glucose Metabolism – The aging brain becomes less efficient at using glucose for energy, essentially starving neurons.

As a result, older dogs often show signs of CDS, including disorientation, disrupted sleep, anxiety, decreased social interaction, and loss of house training.

And the statistics are staggering: By age 11, about 27% of dogs show signs of cognitive decline, and by age 15, that number jumps to 67%.

So, Can Nutrition Slow Brain Aging?

The research suggests yes. Several nutrients have been studied for their ability to fuel the brain, protect neurons, and enhance cognitive function in aging dogs:

✅ Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) – These provide an alternative energy source when glucose metabolism declines, ketones. Research shows MCTs improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills in both dogs and people.

✅ Antioxidants & Mitochondrial Support – Ingredients like vitamins E and C, blueberries, spinach, and tomatoes help combat oxidative stress, while alpha-lipoic acid and L-carnitine support energy production in neurons.

✅ S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAMe) – This compound supports neurotransmitter function. In a study, dogs given SAMe showed improved awareness and activity levels in just two months.

✅ Apoaequorin – A protein that helps regulate calcium in neurons. Dogs supplemented with apoaequorin performed significantly better on learning and memory tests, even compared to those on prescription medications.

✅ Comprehensive Nutritional Blends – Supplements containing DHA, phosphatidylserine, CoQ10, and antioxidants significantly improved disorientation and house soiling behaviors in senior dogs.

The Study: Does Nutrition Really Work?

To test these theories, researchers conducted an eight-month study investigating whether an MCT-enriched diet could improve cognitive function in older dogs. Dogs were fed either a regular diet or one supplemented with 5.5% MCTs.

The results? Within one month, the MCT-fed dogs showed significant improvements in memory, attention, and learning. Their blood tests confirmed higher ketone levels, meaning their brains were successfully using an alternative fuel source.

Another 90-day clinical study tested a combination of MCTs and a specialized nutrient blend in dogs diagnosed with CDS. The dogs were split into three groups:

1️⃣ Control diet
2️⃣ 6.5% MCT + nutrient blend
3️⃣ 9% MCT + nutrient blend

By the end of the study:

🔹 Dogs on the 6.5% MCT + nutrient blend diet showed significant improvements in ALL six cognitive categories, including disorientation and social interaction.
🔹 The 9% MCT diet also helped, but some dogs didn’t eat it well—suggesting potential palatability issues.
🔹 The control group? No significant improvement.

So, Final Thoughts: What does This Means for Brain Health

This research highlights something critical: what we feed the brain matters.

For both dogs and humans, incorporating MCTs, antioxidants, SAMe, apoaequorin, and comprehensive nutritional support could be a game-changer in maintaining cognitive function and slowing brain aging.

While we can’t stop time, we can support brain health through nutrition—and what we’re learning from dogs could shape future treatments for cognitive decline in people.

If you work in veterinary medicine, nutrition, or senior pet care, this research is worth paying attention to. And if you have a senior dog at home? Maybe it’s time to rethink what’s in their bowl.

Let’s keep the conversation going—what are your thoughts on nutrition and cognitive health? Drop a comment below! ⬇️

Click here for more information in the article from the National Library of Medicine.