B-vitamins and cognition

Good memory and a well functioning brain would be high on a wish list for most people. The research reviewed here evaluated the effectiveness of a simple thing everybody can do for themselves. The researchers investigated if taking B-vitamins can make a difference in cognitive function (de Jager CA, et al. 2011).

The participants were 70 years or older with mild cognitive impairment. The study was conducted over 2 years and was double-blind. The participants received a daily dose of 800 micrograms of folic acid, 500 micrograms of B12 and 20 mg of B6 or a placebo.

It was documented that total homocysteine levels were 30% lower in the ones who were treated with B-vitamins compared to the ones who received the placebo. Homocysteine is an amino acid associated with brain atrophy. The results also showed that B-vitamins stabilized executive function relative to the placebo.

It was concluded that B-vitamins appear to slow cognitive and clinical decline in people with mild cognitive impairment, in particular in those with elevated homocysteine.

When taking B-vitamins keep in mind that not everybody metabolize folic acid properly. For those people or just as a safeguard, it is a good idea to also include the metabolite of folic acid when you take B-vitamins.

The Vitamin B Complex we use includes for that reason the metabolite of folic acid. Click here to read more about the benefits of B-vitamins.

de Jager CA, Oulhaj A, Jacoby R, Refsum H, Smith AD. Cognitive and clinical outcomes of homocysteine-lowering B-vitamin treatment in mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2011 Jul 21. doi: 10.1002/gps.2758.