The Alzheimer’s disease may be linked to vitamin A deficiency, according to the results of a study published in the medical journal Acta Neuropathologica. These conclusions were obtained on mice, then the study was carried out on humans.
Researchers from Chongqing Medical University (China) and the University of British Columbia (Canada) carried out a study with mice genetically programmed to have Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists observed that rodents deficient in vitamin A showed early signs of the disease and their young exhibited cognitive impairments.
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Vitamin A deficiency promotes cognitive decline
To confirm these results in humans, the researchers then conducted a study with 330 participants aged 77 on average.
Their cognitive abilities were assessed, as well as their vitamin A level. As with rodents, there is a link between vitamin A deficiency and cognitive decline.
The results of the study showed that:
-61% of participants had normal vitamin A levels
-26% had a slight deficiency and 13% a real lack of vitamin.
Volunteers deficient in vitamin A performed worse on cognitive tests.
How to fill up with vitamin A?
Vitamin A supplementation is only recommended as part of a medical prescription. On the other hand, a diet rich in dairy products, eggsmeat and fatty fish, but also in certain fruits and leafy vegetables with a high rate of retinol or beta-carotene (colored, yellow, green and orange) helps to avoid vitamin A deficiency. Daily requirements in vitamin A for an adult are estimated at approximately 0.7 to 1 mg.
To stay young is to eat well
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Alzheimer’s: a quiz to test your knowledge of the disease
