Alzheimer's Society comment on Vitamin B12 and rate of brain volume loss in older people in the community
Published 9 September 2008
This study found that low levels of vitamin B12 and high levels of homocysteine correlate with brain shrinkage in older people. Shrinkage is usually associated with the development of dementia.
As vitamin B may be given as a food supplement, it may be useful to include tests of vitamin B levels in the general assessment of health of older individuals.
This is another example of why it is crucial for people to lead a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet rich in B vitamins and antioxidants. The best way to reduce your risk of developing dementia is to keep active, eat a balanced diet, don't smoke and visit your GP to get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked.
Dr Susanne Sorensen
Head of Research
Alzheimer's Society
Reference : Vitamin B12 may protect the ageing brain
Vitamin B12, may protect against brain shrinkage in older people, according to a new study published on 9th September in the journal Neurology. University of Oxford scientists examined 107 people between the ages of 61 and 87 and found that people with lower vitamin B12 levels were six times more likely to experience brain shrinkage, which can cause memory loss, compared with those with higher levels of the vitamin in the blood.
