Researchers studied 630 older adults to understand how lifestyle choices, diet, and liver health affect memory and thinking skills. They found that people with healthier lifestyles and better liver function performed better on brain tests. The study suggests that taking care of your liver through good habits and eating well may help protect your brain from memory problems as you get older. While this research shows these factors are connected, it doesn’t prove that improving one will definitely improve the others—more research is needed to confirm these relationships.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether healthy lifestyle habits, good eating patterns, and proper liver function are connected to better memory and thinking skills in older people
  • Who participated: 630 older adults from communities who completed brain function tests. Researchers looked at their daily habits, what they ate, and blood tests that show how well their livers work
  • Key finding: People with healthier lifestyles had better liver function and better brain test scores. A specific liver health marker called AST/HDL-C was the best predictor of memory problems, with a cut-off value of 14.1 being significant
  • What it means for you: Taking care of your liver through healthy habits and balanced eating may help protect your brain as you age. However, this study shows these things are connected—it doesn’t prove that changing one will definitely improve the others. Talk to your doctor about what’s best for your individual situation

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at a group of people at one point in time rather than following them over years. They recruited 1,096 older adults from communities, and 630 of them completed all the brain function tests needed for the study. Researchers measured three main things: lifestyle quality using a healthy lifestyle score, diet quality using a healthy dietary score, and liver function using four different blood test markers. They also gave everyone a standard brain test called the Montreal Cognitive Assessment to check for memory and thinking problems.

The researchers used statistical methods to find connections between these factors. They looked for correlations (whether things moved together), created prediction curves to see which liver markers best predicted brain problems, and used logistic regression to understand the strength of relationships. This approach allowed them to see patterns across all the data they collected.

This research approach is important because it looks at multiple factors together rather than studying them separately. Previous research showed that lifestyle, diet, and liver function each matter for brain health, but nobody had studied how they work together in older adults. By examining all three at once, researchers could see the bigger picture of what keeps brains healthy. The cross-sectional design is quick and efficient, though it can’t prove cause-and-effect relationships.

This study has several strengths: it included a reasonably large sample of 630 people, used standard, validated tests for measuring brain function and lifestyle, and applied appropriate statistical methods. However, readers should know that this was a snapshot in time, not a long-term follow-up study. The study shows associations (things that go together) but cannot prove that one thing causes another. The results come from one community sample, so they may not apply equally to all older adults everywhere. The liver function markers used are relatively new predictive tools, so more research is needed to confirm their usefulness

What the Results Show

The study found clear connections between healthy lifestyle choices and better liver function. People with higher healthy lifestyle scores had better liver function markers, with the strongest connection being with a marker called ZJU (correlation of -0.270). Importantly, people with better liver function performed better on brain tests. A specific liver marker called AST/HDL-C was the strongest predictor of mild cognitive impairment (memory and thinking problems), with an accuracy of 63.4% in predicting who might have these problems.

The research showed that two liver markers—AST/HDL-C and ALT/HDL-C—had important cut-off values. When AST/HDL-C was above 14.1 or ALT/HDL-C was above 10.1, people had higher risk of memory problems. These numbers suggest that monitoring these specific markers might help identify older adults at risk for brain function decline.

Diet also played a role in the findings. People who followed healthier eating patterns had better scores on brain function tests. The combination of healthy lifestyle habits and good diet appeared to work together to support both liver and brain health.

Beyond the main findings, the study revealed that healthy lifestyle scores were negatively correlated with liver function markers, meaning that healthier lifestyles were associated with better liver function across multiple measures. The healthy dietary score showed positive associations with cognitive function, suggesting that what you eat matters for brain health. The research also demonstrated that different liver function markers had varying strengths in predicting brain problems, with AST/HDL-C being the most useful single predictor

This study builds on previous research showing that lifestyle and diet affect brain health separately. It adds new information by showing these factors work together and by highlighting the liver as a potential link between lifestyle choices and brain function. Previous studies had examined liver health and brain health as separate topics, but this research suggests the liver may be an important bridge between how we live and how well our brains work. The findings support existing evidence that healthy aging requires attention to multiple body systems, not just the brain itself

This study has important limitations to understand. First, it’s a snapshot in time, so researchers can’t prove that improving liver function will actually improve brain function—only that they’re connected. Second, the study only included people from specific communities, so results may not apply to all older adults everywhere. Third, the liver function markers used are relatively new, and more research is needed to confirm how useful they are in real-world practice. Fourth, the study couldn’t account for all possible factors that affect brain health, such as sleep quality, stress levels, or certain medications. Finally, the brain test used (MoCA) is good but not perfect, and some people with actual cognitive problems might not be identified

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, older adults should focus on maintaining healthy lifestyle habits (regular physical activity, not smoking, limiting alcohol) and eating a balanced diet rich in whole foods. These changes may support both liver and brain health. However, this is a moderate-confidence recommendation because the study shows association, not definite cause-and-effect. If you’re concerned about memory or thinking problems, talk to your doctor about getting your liver function checked as part of a comprehensive health evaluation. Don’t make major changes to medications or supplements without consulting your healthcare provider

This research is most relevant to older adults (especially those over 60) who want to maintain sharp thinking and memory. It’s also important for family members of older adults and healthcare providers who care for seniors. People with known liver disease or those taking medications that affect liver function should pay special attention. However, these findings may not apply equally to younger people or those with certain medical conditions. If you have liver disease, diabetes, or other chronic conditions, work with your doctor to apply these findings to your specific situation

Don’t expect overnight changes. Brain health improvements from lifestyle and diet changes typically take weeks to months to become noticeable. Liver function can improve within 4-12 weeks with consistent healthy habits, though this varies by individual. Memory and thinking improvements may take even longer—often 3-6 months or more of consistent healthy choices. The key is making sustainable changes you can stick with long-term rather than looking for quick fixes

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your daily healthy lifestyle habits (exercise minutes, sleep hours, alcohol intake) and dietary quality (servings of vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins). Rate your diet quality on a scale of 1-10 each day. If you have recent blood work, log your liver function markers (AST, ALT, HDL cholesterol) to monitor trends over time with your doctor’s guidance
  • Set a specific goal like ’eat 5 servings of vegetables daily’ or ’exercise 30 minutes, 5 days per week’ and track completion in the app. Create reminders for healthy meals and physical activity. Use the app to log what you eat and see patterns in your diet quality. Share your progress with a healthcare provider to get personalized feedback
  • Use the app to track lifestyle and diet scores weekly, calculating an average monthly score to see trends. If you get blood work done, log your liver function markers and note any changes. Set quarterly check-ins to review your progress and adjust goals. Share your app data with your doctor during annual visits to discuss how your lifestyle changes may be affecting your health markers

This research shows associations between lifestyle, diet, liver health, and brain function in older adults, but does not prove that changing one will definitely improve the others. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. If you’re experiencing memory problems, confusion, or other cognitive concerns, consult your healthcare provider for proper evaluation and diagnosis. Before making significant changes to your diet, exercise routine, or supplements, especially if you have liver disease, take medications, or have other health conditions, talk to your doctor. This study was conducted in a specific community population and may not apply equally to all individuals. Always work with your healthcare team to develop a personalized plan based on your individual health needs and medical history.