An exploratory exome-wide machine learning analysis identifies candidate host gene signatures associated with Long COVID in a large admixed Brazilian cohort.

This Research Topic of reviews and original research articles focus on the brain, nutrition, and exercise for healthy aging. Several nutrients and physical exercise appear to help prevent/mitigate aging diseases of the brain. As the brain ages, it undergoes changes in metabolism, plasticity, and cognitive function, making it vulnerable to age-related decline. Growing evidence suggests that diet, including nutrients and plant-derived bioactives, play a critical role in supporting brain health and mitigating these changes. Nutritional components such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), antioxidants, and polyphenols have shown potential in promoting neuroplasticity and delaying cognitive decline (). This Research Topic aims to explore the influence of diet and exercise on brain aging, offering insights into dietary strategies that support long-term cognitive health and resilience against neurodegenerative diseases. The focus of this Research Topic was to highlight the following subthemes. 1. The physiological mechanisms linking nutrition to brain aging and cognitive decline. 2. The action of plant-derived bioactive compounds and their effects on neuroplasticity and brain metabolism. 3. Dietary interventions in promoting cognitive resilience against age-related diseases. 4. The synergistic effects of exercise and nutrition on brain health during aging. 5. The role of specific nutrients, such as antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyphenols, mitigating brain senescence. 6. The relationship between diet and gut-brain connections. 7. The potential of personalized nutrition to optimize brain function and delay cognitive aging. By advancing our understanding of how diet, nutrients, and bioactives influence brain aging and cognitive function (), this Research Topic aims to inform innovative dietary strategies that promote lifelong brain health and resilience against age-related neurodegenerative conditions. With respect to omega-3 PUFA, the literature is replete with fundamental roles in structure function actions of the long-chain n-3 PUFA in brain (, ). Thus, this Research Topic of reviews and original research articles focus on the brain, nutrition, and exercise for healthy aging. The brain undergoes changes in nutrient metabolism, neuroplasticity, and cognitive function as we age (). Several nutrients and physical exercise help prevent and mitigate aging diseases of the brain (). According to , the neuroprotective synergy of vitamin D and exercise is emerging evidence suggesting complementary benefits on aging-related neuroplasticity and cognitive health. Opportunities exist with at-risk populations, standardized intervention models, lifestyle factors, and mechanistic approaches with vitamers of D on reducing age-related neuropathology and cognitive decline. It is essential in future studies to integrate biological markers (such as BDNF, inflammatory cytokines, oxylipins, and endocannabinoids) (), and exercise with neuroimaging measures (e.g., functional connectivity and hippocampal volume) for brain health (, ).