Nutrient patterns and mortality: results from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) study

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Gerontology

Background:

• Dietary patterns significantly influence noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention.
• Previous research focused on nutrient patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors or NCDs.
• The association between nutrient patterns and mortality requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between nutrient patterns and all-cause mortality.
• To investigate the association between nutrient patterns and cause-specific mortality.
• To analyze nutrient patterns in a large Japanese population.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort analysis of 72,939 Japanese adults (aged 35-69) with an 11.7-year follow-up.
• Factor analysis identified four nutrient patterns from 21 nutrients.
• Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models assessed mortality risks adjusted for confounders.

Main Results:

• Higher intake of Pattern 1 (folate, carotene, fiber, vitamins C, potassium, iron, retinol) correlated with reduced all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cerebrovascular disease mortality.
• Moderate intake of Pattern 2 (unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E) was linked to lower all-cause and cancer mortality.
• Conversely, higher Pattern 2 intake showed increased cerebrovascular disease mortality risk.

Conclusions:

• Nutrient patterns rich in folate, carotene, fiber, vitamin C, potassium, iron, and retinol are associated with decreased mortality in Japanese adults.
• Moderate consumption of unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E may also reduce mortality risk.
• Dietary interventions targeting these nutrient patterns could improve population health outcomes.