August 29, 2005 – According to the results of a recent epidemiological study1, a folic acid intake corresponding to the recommended nutritional allowance (RDA) would have the effect of reducing the risk of contracting Alzheimer’s disease by 55%.
As part of an epidemiological study, a team of researchers from the University of California followed, for nine years, 579 people aged 60 and over. The results are published in the first issue of the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the new publication of the American Alzheimer’s Disease Association. They indicate that people who consumed about 400 micrograms (µg) per day of folic acid are twice as likely to contract Alzheimer’s disease as those who take less.
Also called vitamin B9, folic acid may lower blood levels of homocysteine, a substance associated with cardiovascular disorders, including stroke. According to Maria Corrada, who led the research team for this study, it is possible that Alzheimer’s disease is associated with vascular disorders in the brain.
The researcher also believes that folic acid could help prevent the onset of the disease or slow its progression. But it does not encourage increasing the consumption of vitamin B9 beyond the recommended dietary allowance of 400 µg per day. The results of another epidemiological study2 show that too high a vitamin B9 intake, especially in supplement form, could even accelerate the decline of cognitive faculties. Experts advise against exceeding the maximum tolerable intake of 1000 µg per day.
Ms. Corrada also points out that these results should above all encourage people to eat well. Folic acid is abundant in the liver, kidneys, yeast, some fruits including bananas and citrus fruits, green vegetables, legumes, whole wheat bread, eggs and milk.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to HealthDayNews, WebMed, BBC NEWS and The duty
1. Corradaa MM, Kawasab CH, et al. Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease with high folate intake: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Volume 1, Issue 1, Pages 11-18 (July 2005). www.alzheimeranddementia.com
2. Morris MC, Evans DA, et al. Dietary folate and vitamin B12 intake and cognitive decline among community-dwelling older persons.Arch Neurol. 2005 Apr; 62 (4): 641-5.