Further possible indication of a link of folate acid and AD risk reduction

A friend sent me this. I thought it was of broader interest…

…Individuals who get higher levels of the folic acid through both diet and supplements may have a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a report in the January issue of Archives of Neurology. Researchers interviewed and assessed the diets of 965 individuals without dementia between 1992 and 1994 and then followed them for an average of 6.1 years to see if they developed Alzheimer’s disease. During the follow-up period, 192 of the participants developed Alzheimer’s disease.

When the individuals were divided into four groups based on the total level of folate they took in through food and supplements and the analysis was adjusted for patient characteristics, comorbid diseases and B12 and B6 intake, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease was lower in the groups with higher intake. Neither dietary folate nor supplements alone were significantly linked to Alzheimer’s disease risk; only the two in combination appeared to produce an effect. Researchers suspect that elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood, which is linked to a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke, may also increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. (Arch Neurol. 2007;64:86-92)

9 January 2007 | Alzheimer's | Comments