Summary:
This narrative review examined how nutrition, environmental exposures, and lifestyle behaviours influence the development, progression, and management of neurological and psychiatric disorders. The review explores growing evidence that brain health can be modifiable and may provide opportunities for disease prevention and improved clinical outcomes. Current treatments for neurological conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, stroke, and several psychiatric disorders often focus on symptom management rather than altering disease progression. The review explores that brain health is shaped by the combined effects of diet, environmental exposures, and lifestyle habits. These factors interact with genetic susceptibility and influence biological processes involved in disease onset and progression. Nutritional status was identified as a key determinant of neurological health. Evidence suggests that deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, and magnesium are associated with impaired cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms. In contrast, dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean and ketogenic diets may offer neuroprotective benefits. The review also highlights the potential role of omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols in reducing inflammation and supporting neuronal function. Environmental exposures such as air pollution, heavy metals, pesticides, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals have also been linked to neurodegeneration through mechanisms including oxidative damage and inflammation. Lifestyle behaviours were found to have substantial effects on brain health. Regular physical activity, adequate sleep, effective stress management, and avoidance of harmful substances may support neuroplasticity, improve metabolic and vascular health, reduce inflammation, and increase resilience to neurological disease. Overall, this review concludes that a holistic approach incorporating diet, healthy lifestyle behaviours and reduced exposure to environmental toxins may contribute to the prevention and management of neurological disorders.
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Abstract:
Neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and primary psychiatric conditions are complex, arising from a mix of genetic and modifiable risks. Growing evidence indicates that nutrition, environment, and lifestyle significantly influence disease development, progression, and treatment response. Nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyphenols affect neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial health, and neurotransmitter function. Dietary patterns like the Mediterranean and ketogenic diets offer protective benefits in clinical and experimental contexts. Meanwhile, environmental neurotoxicants–air pollution, heavy metals, pesticides, and endocrine disruptors contribute to neurodegeneration via oxidative damage, synaptic impairment, and epigenetic alterations. Lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, sleep, stress, and substance use, affect brain plasticity, neurogenesis, and metabolic health, thereby influencing disease progression over time. These factors often share common pathways such as oxidative stress, inflammation, vascular injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, and protein misfolding, underscoring the need for a comprehensive prevention and treatment strategy. Emerging therapies now incorporate personalized nutrition, lifestyle changes, and environmental risk mitigation alongside traditional drugs, supported by advances in multi-omics, digital health, and systems biology. Public health efforts to reduce neurotoxic exposure and encourage healthy habits further strengthen these approaches. This review summarizes existing mechanistic and clinical knowledge, with a focus on the potential of nutritional, environmental, and lifestyle interventions in neurological diseases. It also outlines the future research required to enhance precision neurology and strategies for brain health prevention.
Article Publication Date: 27/02/2026
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2026.1765786
