Folate keeps cognitive function sharp
Folate keeps cognitive function sharp
Got cognitive function?
Once again, a new study reveals the importance of B vitamins in suppressing homocysteine (the amino acid that promotes plaque buildup in arteries) and maintaining healthy cognitive function.
UK researchers recruited a cohort of more than 500 subjects with an average age of 73, each one in good cognitive health. Baseline blood tests showed that less than four percent were folate-deficient.
Two years later, 45 subjects had been diagnosed with some sort of dementia – mostly Alzheimer’s. Compared to subjects who maintained good cognitive function, subjects in the newly-developed dementia group were far more likely to have lowered folate levels and higher homocysteine than they did at the outset of the study.
Over the past few months we’ve seen a number of studies that demonstrate just how important folate is in our daily diets. The best sources of folate include citrus fruits, tomatoes, leafy green vegetables, avocados, bananas, asparagus, whole grains, and pinto, navy, and kidney beans.
You can find more information about folate, and the effect of folic acid supplementation on cognitive function in the e-Alert “As Time Goes By” (2/1/07), at this link: http://www.hsionline.com/ealerts/ea200702/ea20070201a.html
Source:
“Low Folate Levels May Increase Dementia Risk: Study” Stephen Daniells, NutraIngredients-USA, 2/5/08, nutraingredients-usa.com
