12 April 2010
Insufficient levels of vitamin B6 may increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease by about 50 percent, according to a new study.
In the hospital-based case-control study, intakes of B vitamins were assessed in 249 Japanese people with Parkinson’s disease and 368 people without any neurodegenerative condition using a diet questionnaire (1). The results showed no link between vitamin B2, vitamin B9 (folate) and vitamin B12 intake and disease. However, low intakes of vitamin B6 were linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, independent of other factors.
The study does not prove that low vitamin B6 levels are the cause of Parkinson’s disease, but indicates that additional study should focus on whether increased levels of vitamin B6 may reduce the risk of developing the disease.
The link between B vitamin intake and Parkinson’s disease is related to homocysteine, an amino acid reported to be potentially toxic to brain cells. Parkinson's disease occurs when nerve cells are lost in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra.
1 December 2011
Big parts of the female population may have limited abilities to absorb beta-carotene and convert it into vitamin A due to genetic variations, a new UK study suggests.
26 April 2010
Seniors with higher blood levels of vitamin D are also likely to have better physical function, suggests a new study.
31 July 2013
According to new research from the Netherlands vitamin D deficiency may increase the likelihood of having trouble performing daily activities for people who are 55 and older.
