Nutritionist Resource
=X
Log out Welcome back log in join us
-
  • Home
  • Nutrition topics
  • FAQs
  • Articles
  • Events
  • Your stories
Welcome !
Members AreaLog out
Log inJoin us
  • Home>
  • Articles>
  • “Honey I Shrunk My Brain!” How B Vitamins may slow down brain shrinkage

“Honey I Shrunk My Brain!” How B Vitamins may slow down brain shrinkage

Melody Mackeown
by Melody Mackeown, listed nutritionist
11th September, 2013
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Bookmark
11th September, 2013
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Bookmark

Dementia researchers at the University of Oxford have shown that supplementing with B vitamins can significantly reduce brain shrinkage in later life, and could subsequently help protect against Alzheimer’s disease.

Previous research has linked high levels of homocysteine to cognitive impairment, which could be a contributing factor to Alzheimer’s. Homocysteine levels rise with age, and intake of folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 can help to reduce these levels in the blood.

In a study of 156 patients with mild cognitive impairment – a risk factor for Alzheimer’s – those people who took vitamin B supplements slowed the shrinkage in particular regions of the brain known to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease by 7-fold over the two-year period of the study.

Dr David Smith who led the study was cited in the Natural Products magazine as saying: “Our work shows that a key part of the disease that leads to Alzheimer’s disease, the atrophy of specific brain regions, might be modified by a safe and simple intervention.”

B vitamins are critical for the synthesis of DNA and protect brain health by maintaining neural cell integrity.  The three B vitamins given in the above study were folic acid, vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12, which can be indirectly assessed by measuring homocysteine, which as noted above, is a risk factor for brain atrophy, cognitive impairment and dementia.

It is not surprising then that the greatest response to the B vitamins in the above study was seen in volunteers with the highest homocysteine levels (over 11 µmol/L) at the beginning of the study.

While it is too early to know whether these effects mean that someone is less likely to develop dementia in the long term if they supplement with B vitamins, based on what is known to date about homocysteine and B vitamin supplementation I feel that it is certainly worth testing your homocysteine level and taking steps to address any elevated levels via dietary modification and supplementation. Additional measures that could help maintain healthy brain function include weight control, monitoring your blood pressure and exercise.

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/05/16/1301816110.abstract

Healthy eating
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Nutritionist Resource is not responsible for the articles published by members. The views expressed are those of the member who wrote the article.

Melody Mackeown

About Melody Mackeown

I am passionate about helping you feel as good as you can through personalised nutrition and lifestyle advice. Whether you want to start a family, improve your mood, struggle with low energy, poor sleep or digestion or find it difficult reaching and maintaining your ideal weight, shouldn't you do something about it now?… Read more

Located in London.

Can also offer telephone / online appointments.

To book an appointment, please get in contact:

View profileEmail meCall me07790831254
Small but permanent changes to your diet will make a real difference Tips for making healthier choices at restaurants
Bookmarks (-)
Search for a nutritionist near you
advanced search

Related articles View all

Healthy eating Stress Nutrition and mental health
Nutritional advice for a healthy winter
Nutritional advice for a healthy winter
By Khalid Khan
With shorter days and longer nights; as the wind bites and the duvet is sorely missed...
Healthy eating Weight gain Constipation
Gut bacteria and weight gain? SIBO, 'candida', and constipation
Gut bacteria and weight gain? SIBO, 'candida', and constipation
By Linda Albinsson, Nutritionist (mBANT) BSc Nutritional Science, NT CNM
Can gut bacteria make you gain weight? Can you really blame your bacteria for your...
Healthy eating
Is processed meat now back on the menu?!
Is processed meat now back on the menu?!
By Linda Albinsson, Nutritionist (mBANT) BSc Nutritional Science, NT CNM
Is processed red meat back on the menu? You may have seen this headline in the news...
More information
  • Home
  • About us
  • Legal terms
  • Cookie policy
  • Privacy notice
  • Browse by region
  • Press Centre
  • Links
  • Site map
  • Help
Connect With Us:
  • Nutritionist Resource
  • Building 3, Riverside Way
  • Camberley, Surrey
  • GU15 3YL
  • Membership Services Team:

    0333 325 2504 *

  • Contact us
  • Copyright © 2019 Site by Memiah Limited
  • * Calls to 03 numbers cost the same as calling an 01 or 02 number and count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls.

Healthy ideas that change the world

Get our free monthly e-magazine straight to your inbox

Find out more at happiful.com

Happiful magazine cover
Before using our site, please take a moment to review our Privacy Notice and Cookies policy. By continuing to use this site we'll assume you agree to both.
Ok