Posted on 01/18/2007 6:42:20 PM PST by blam
Folic acid 'increases memory'
By Nic Fleming, Medical Correspondent
Last Updated: 2:26am GMT 19/01/2007
Folic acid supplements can significantly improve the memory and brain power of older people, according to a study to be published today.
Researchers found that men and post-menopausal women aged between 50 and 70 who took daily doses had the mental abilities of those almost five years their junior.
The supplements also helped maintain speed of information processing, reactions involving movement and overall brain power. These abilities decline with age, and their loss has been linked to a higher risk of dementia.
Folate, the natural form of synthetic folic acid, is found in broccoli, Brussels sprouts, peas, chickpeas, yeast extract, brown rice and fruit including oranges and bananas.
The research, published in the Lancet medical journal, was led by Dr Jane Durga, from the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands.
Dr Durga said: "Folic acid improves performance in tests that measure information processing speed and memory - domains known to decline with age.
"Trials similar to our own should now be repeated to provide greater insight into the clinical relevance of folic acid to people with mild cognitive impairment and dementia."
Folic acid supplements were also found to reduce levels of homocysteine, a blood chemical linked both to heart disease and dementia.
Age Concern has warned that increased consumption could have the side effect of masking deficiencies in the vitamin B12 - found in meat, eggs and dairy products - which could actually cause neurological damage.
"Further research is needed to reach a definitive answer on the benefits, or not, of folic acid," said the charity's director-general Gordon Lishman.
"found in .......yeast extract", does that include beer?
We're at war...if we lose, we'll hafta go back to the frist grade.
btt
I luv spelling threads too, they even misspell BTTT!
Yeah, sure. I forgot to take my folic acid supplement today.
So pre-menopausal women between 50 and 70 are SOL? That's a bummer!
In the dumpster. Next to the banjo
LOL, or least the memory of how to type.
This could have been hugh, stuningly so, had we been a more series lot.
A banana a day keeps senile dementia away?
thanks, bfl
Now I know why I have gotten so smart in the past few years. I have been taking this for years.
I can only imagine the health benefits we will enjoy when nutritional requirements are completely understood.
Yes, excatly.
I first read about this issue in a book by Adelle Davis(she wrote in the 1950's, she died of bone cancer in the 70's). Even in the fifties, folic acid was not added to bread products to protect the few vegans from the B12 deficiencies. Even way back then. How many babies could have been saved from Spina Bifida? Only God knows.
Those who have B12 deficiencies do need to be careful. I have only read about this, not lived it. But my understanding is that if it goes undetected, it can cause paralysis.
Glad to hear you are taking care of yourself and being informed.
Don't eat lots of spinach. It's loaded with iron. Iron is only good for women of menstruating age.
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