Researchers
from the Australian National University have shown that essential B vitamins
combat stress that results in a loss of memory and normal thought patterns that
cause abnormal brain aging. Published in
The American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, scientists found that long-term supplementation of daily folic
acid and vitamin B-12 promotes improvement in cognitive functioning after a
period of two years, particularly in immediate and delayed memory performance. B
vitamins are crucial for nerve transmission and are needed in higher amounts as
your stress level increases. Health-minded adults will want to ensure that they
obtain an optimal daily dose of these important vitamins from diet or
supplemental sources.
The study leader, Dr. Janine Walker and her team
conducted a two year intervention among elderly participants confined in a
community-dwelling environment. All participants exhibited symptoms of
depression and were under moderate stress due to environmental and lifestyle
conditions. The study was designed to determine if nutritional intervention
could prevent cognitive decline under randomized and controlled
conditions.
Folic acid and vitamin B-12 fight brain stress and inflammation in the
elderly
Researchers supplemented one group of study volunteers with an oral
dosage of 400 micrograms of folic acid and 100 micrograms of vitamin B-12 daily.
This group was compared against a control set of participants that received a
placebo. The results were measured at twelve- and twenty-four month intervals
using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status Standardized Test and the
Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone (to determine processing speed). An
Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly was administered at
two years to provide a final analysis of cognitive function.
The study
authors found that the group receiving the supplemental B-vitamins experienced
significantly better memory function when compared to the control subjects. The
research team determined that stress results in inflammation to neuron
structures in the brain and inhibits electrical and chemical transmissions
between nerves that are required to form new memories and maintain a healthy
degree of cognitive function. The body uses B-vitamins, especially folic acid
and vitamin B-12, to fight brain inflammation and ensure proper brain
communications.
After the two-year study period, Dr. Walker concluded
"Long-term supplementation of daily oral 400 mcg folic acid and 100 mcg
vitamin B-12 promotes improvement in cognitive functioning after 24 months,
particularly in immediate and delayed memory performance." The entire family
of B-vitamins has been shown to lower the impact of brain stress and
inflammation. Health-conscious adults will want to combine a daily supply of
B-vitamins with the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA to dramatically lower the risk of
memory loss and cognitive decline.
Sources for this article
include:http://www.ajcn.org/content/early/2011/12/13/ajcn.110.007799.abstracthttp://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Folic-acid-plus-B12-shows-brain-function-benefits-in-older-people/http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/b12_and_folic_acid_boost_memory_in_stressed_adults/