B Vitamins could be the newest weapon in the fight to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Reasearchers in Oxford found that taking 3 B vitamin tablets a day could help to slow down the shrinkage of the brain which may be an early symptom of dementia and memory loss. Although the results are encouraging researchers cautioned that further study is required before any definitive conclusions can be drawn.
In a two-year trial, the vitamin supplement delayed the rate of brain atrophy by up to half in a group of elderly people, with a more than 30% reduction overall.
Cognitive tests show those with the least shrinkage perform the best.
A vitamin pill that curbed the mental decline associated with ageing would have colossal implications. About 1.5 million people in the UK, 14 million in Europe and 5m in the US have problems with memory, language or other mental functions known as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), half of whom go on to develop Alzheimer's or another form of dementia within five years.
But the researchers said it was too soon to recommend elderly people suffering memory lapses should take B vitamin supplements, until further studies had confirmed the benefits and risks.
Large doses of around 300 times the daily recommended intake of B12 and four times the recommended levels of folic acid were used in the trial. The researchers said this meant they acted like a pharmaceutical drug rather than a nutritional supplement and would require further safety tests. They are now seeking funding for another trial. B vitamins are found in meat, whole grains, potatoes and Marmite. They promote cell growth and division, enhance the immune system and maintain healthy skin and bones.
