A study published in the journal Neurology showed that people with high levels of B12 in their blood showed diminished chances of developing dementia. Although folic acid, B6 and B12 have been linked with dementia and Alzheimer’s from earlier studies, Rebecca Woods from the Alzheimer's Research Trust feels that its too early to prescribe supplements as an antidote to the neurodenerative disorders. The vitamins, if taken in large doses without medical supervision, can lead to complications of its own. It does, however, call for more research into the protective powers of the vitamins found naturally in meat, fish, eggs, milk and some fortified cereals.
Researchers have found out that raised levels of a body chemical called homocysteine can lead to higher risk of stroke and dementia and faster brain shrinkage. In diagnosed cases of dementia brain shrinks at the rate of 2.5% per year as compared to normal shrinkage of 0.5% per year after 60 years of age. Another study had shown that increasing the level of B12 in the blood can slow down the rate of brain shrinkage.
In the latest study conducted by scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, 271 subjects with ages between 65 and 79 were chosen. None of them had dementia at the start of the study. Within 7 years, 17 of them were diagnosed with dementia enabling the scientists to work out whether B12 had made any difference.
Their findings concurred with earlier studies. Higher levels of homocysteine predisposed the subject to dementia while higher level of B12 seemed to protect them from it.
The Alzheimer’s Trust said that the strongest evidence that is available pointed to a healthy balanced diet with moderate exercise and controlled blood parameters.
