Taking vitamin B12 and folate supplements does not reduce the risk of dementia in older people, according to a study reported in the journal Neurology.
Earlier work has linked low vitamin B12 and folate intake to memory impairment. Both of these vitamins are known to lower the levels of homocysteine in the body. Homocysteine increases the risk of both dementia and stroke. It therefore seemed that dementia could be prevented with the help of supplements.
However, a Dutch study by Dr. Rosalie Dhonukshe-Rutten of Wageningen’s team of nearly 3000 people with an average age of 74 did not show that vitamin B12 and folate supplements would protect against dementia. People taking 400 micrograms of folic acid and 500 micrograms of vitamin B12 for two years obtained the same results in four different tests assessing the efficiency of thinking memory as the control group, which received a placebo.
All study participants had high blood levels of homocysteine - in those taking the supplements, it dropped more than in the placebo group. However, since they did not have serious memory problems, the authors of the study do not rule out that supplements could stop the progress of existing disorders.
For people who want to keep a clear mind until old age, specialists recommend maintaining a healthy body weight, eating a balanced diet, not smoking, exercising, drinking moderately, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels. (PAP)