Treating a subject with cognitive impairment can include (a) administering nutrient material such that the subject has a bodily intake of protein of less than 5 grams per day during a low-protein time period of at least 4 consecutive days (b) administering nutrition to the subject such that the subjects bodily intake of carbohydrate constitutes at least 40 percent of the subjects bodily intake of energy during the low-protein period wherein, during a first high-protein time period that is immediately after the low-protein period and is at least 4 consecutive days, the subject receives a daily bodily intake of protein of at least 40 grams and repeating (a) and (b).
