March 1, 2007

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial in the Netherlands that included more that 800 people in the 50-70 age range finds that those who took 800 micrograms of folic acid (folate) daily had significantly better cognitive skills than those taking placebo. The study shown that 3-year folic acid supplementation improves performance on tests that measure information-processing speed and memory, domains that are known to decline with age in older adults with raised total homocycsteine concentration. Look for 400-800 micrograms folic acid in a balanced B-complex supplement, because the body’s ability to utilize folate from foods is limited.

Sources: “NewsBites” Taste for Life, March 2007  “FACIT: Folic Acid Improves Cognitive Performance” by Caroline Cassels, Medscape Medical News, 1/18/07  “Relation of Higher Folate Intake to Lower Risk of Alzheimer Disease in the Elderly” by Jose A. Luchsinger, MD, et al., Archives of Neurology, 1/07