New Research at Oxford University looked at ways to slow or stop Alzheimer’s disease, and the study investigators found that three vitamin B supplements considerably slowed brain shrinkage linked to memory loss. Drug trials have not been successful in memory loss scenarios.
Homocysteine, naturally produced in the body, has been linked to memory loss and Alzheimer’s when found at high levels. Since vitamin B is known to break down homecysteine, the researchers tested the vitamin with 270 pensioners suffering from slight memory lapses, or mild cognitive impairment, which affects one in six persons age 70-plus.
Half of those taking part in the trial took a combined vitamin B tablet each day for two years. The tablet contained doses of vitamins B-6 (20mg), B-9 (or folate, 800 mcg) and B-12 (500 mcg); a typical serving of sirloin steak contains about 2.4 mcg of B-12. The control group took a placebo. Brain scans showed that the rate of brain shrinkage in the vitamin B group decreased by an average of 30%, and as much as 50% in some participants. Evidence indicates those with the least shrinkage do best in memory tests.
John Hough, a participants in the trial, took the combined vitamin B tablet with his breakfast every day for two years. He said, “It seemed to arrest my memory decline. I stopped taking it at the end of the trial, and I noticed after a few months, my memory was getting worse.” Since the study ended, he has put together his own vitamin B cocktails from health store supplements. He estimates that the combination of supplements costs him about 19 cents a day.
Source: “10p pill to beat Alzheimer’s disease: Vitamin B halts memory loss in breakthrough British trial,” by Fiona Macrae, The Daily Mail, 09 Sept. 2010, wwwdailymail.co.uk.
