News
Supplementation with B vitamins may help as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia, new meta-analysis indicates
1 May 2017
12 December 2012
A new US study says that older adults who are mildly vitamin B12 deficient may be at higher risk of cognitive decline.
In the observational study, the vitamin B12 blood concentrations and the cognitive performance (measured by a short list of questions and tasks commonly used to screen for dementia) were measured in 549 men and women, average age 75 years, over a period of eight years (1). The study results showed that the par-ticipants with the lowest blood vitamin B12 levels had a significantly accelerated cognitive decline compared to those with adequate levels. Even those participants with moderate insufficient levels showed a more rapidly loss of cognitive functions.
The researchers commented that while rapid neuropsychiatric decline is a well-known consequence of severe vitamin B12 deficiency, the new findings suggest that adverse cognitive effects do already happen at a mildly deficient status. Thus, the consequences of insufficient vitamin B12 intake may affect a much larger propor-tion of seniors than previously thought.
Animal proteins (e.g., lean meats, poultry and eggs) are good sources of vitamin B12. Since older adults may be less able to absorb vitamin B12 directly from food, the USDA's 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Ameri-cans recommend that people over 50 years-old incorporate B12 fortified foods or supplements into their diets.
1 May 2017
18 May 2014
According to a large long-term study, calcium supplement intakes do not increase the risk for women to develop coronary heart disease or stroke.
25 February 2013
According to a new study, increased intakes of antioxidants found in coffee and tea, such as flavonoids, do not seem to decrease the risk of developing stroke or dementia for elderly people. Other studies observed potential preventive effects of higher consumptions of fruits and vegetables containing antioxidant beta-carotene and vitamins C and E.