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| Alzheimer's Action Day 2012 (Photo credit: The Pointe at Kilpatrick) |
There's mounting evidence indicating, that there is a link between higher levels of vitamin B12 and reduced risks of developing Alzheimer's disease.
In a new study published in the journal Neurology, that involved 271 people from Finland, showed that the people with the highest blood levels of B12 had the lowest risks of developing Alzheimer's.
There is still a lot more research required before we can really understand the effects of vitamin B12. It's found mainly in animal products, including milk and dairy, but is also available in super foods like wheatgrass and maca powder.
There's been link between B vitamins and Alzheimer's for some time now. It's connected to a chemical in the body called homocysteine, which can increase the risks of dementia and also strokes.
Levels of homocysteine can be lowered by increasing the levels of B12 in the blood.
'Brain shrinkage' that has been connected to Alzheimer's, was the subject of a study in Sweden at the Karolinska Institute. It found that 'brain shrinkage' slowed down in older people, when they took more vitamins including B12.
The study which lasted seven years, involved people aged 65 to 79 years, who did not have dementia at the start of the trial. During the course of the study 17 of the subject were diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
The study's authors at the Karolinska Institute, tested to see if vitamin B12 levels were a factor. Their findings indicated that those subject that that the highest levels seemed to have a lower risk.
Dr Helga Refsum, from the University of Oslo commented on these results, saying that this study was "further evidence", that low levels of vitamin B12 had a link to Alzheimer's.
"Though relatively small, with few cases of dementia, it should act as another incentive to start a large scale trial with homocysteine-lowering therapy using B vitamins to see whether such a simple treatment may slow the development of Alzheimer's or other dementia."
The Chief Executive from the Alzheimer's Research Trust, Rebecca Wood, was more cautious in her comments, saying "It might be tempting at this stage to stock up the cupboard with B vitamin in the light of recent findings - it remains too early to do that at this stage.
"The strongest evidence we have for reducing dementia risk is to eat a healthy, balanced diet, take moderate exercise, and keep cholesterol and blood pressure in check, particularly in mid-life."
Adding super foods to your diet is one of the easiest ways to make sure you're getting enough vitamin B12, especially if you're vegetarian or vegan. Chlorella, bee pollen, maca and wheatgrass powder are all good, natural sources of B12.
In a new study published in the journal Neurology, that involved 271 people from Finland, showed that the people with the highest blood levels of B12 had the lowest risks of developing Alzheimer's.
There is still a lot more research required before we can really understand the effects of vitamin B12. It's found mainly in animal products, including milk and dairy, but is also available in super foods like wheatgrass and maca powder.
There's been link between B vitamins and Alzheimer's for some time now. It's connected to a chemical in the body called homocysteine, which can increase the risks of dementia and also strokes.
Levels of homocysteine can be lowered by increasing the levels of B12 in the blood.
'Brain shrinkage' that has been connected to Alzheimer's, was the subject of a study in Sweden at the Karolinska Institute. It found that 'brain shrinkage' slowed down in older people, when they took more vitamins including B12.
The study which lasted seven years, involved people aged 65 to 79 years, who did not have dementia at the start of the trial. During the course of the study 17 of the subject were diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
The study's authors at the Karolinska Institute, tested to see if vitamin B12 levels were a factor. Their findings indicated that those subject that that the highest levels seemed to have a lower risk.
Dr Helga Refsum, from the University of Oslo commented on these results, saying that this study was "further evidence", that low levels of vitamin B12 had a link to Alzheimer's.
"Though relatively small, with few cases of dementia, it should act as another incentive to start a large scale trial with homocysteine-lowering therapy using B vitamins to see whether such a simple treatment may slow the development of Alzheimer's or other dementia."
The Chief Executive from the Alzheimer's Research Trust, Rebecca Wood, was more cautious in her comments, saying "It might be tempting at this stage to stock up the cupboard with B vitamin in the light of recent findings - it remains too early to do that at this stage.
"The strongest evidence we have for reducing dementia risk is to eat a healthy, balanced diet, take moderate exercise, and keep cholesterol and blood pressure in check, particularly in mid-life."
Adding super foods to your diet is one of the easiest ways to make sure you're getting enough vitamin B12, especially if you're vegetarian or vegan. Chlorella, bee pollen, maca and wheatgrass powder are all good, natural sources of B12.
About the Author:
There are many super foods that are packed full of nutrition, including maca and organic wheatgrass. Also published at Can Vitamin B12 Cut Alzheimer's Risks? A New Study.
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