Consuming Vitamin B12 May Not Decrease Memory Loss Risk

Observational studies have revealed association among low vitamin B12 and folate consumption and cognitive functionality, but proof from randomized controlled studies has been less convincing. Now, a new research recommends getting those supplements may not basically decrease the risk of memory and thinking issues.

The research – released in the journal Neurology and lead by Rosalie Dhonukshe-Rutten,is one of the biggest until now to evaluate long-term supplement use and connection to thinking and memory.

A 2010 research released in the same journal claimed a connection between vitamin B12 levels and loss of memory, although the investigators concluded that more investigation was required to ensure their findings “before vitamin B12 should be used solely as a supplement to assist protect memory.”

The team from this recent research notices that the occurrence of dementia is considerably growing. Nevertheless, a possible modifiable dementia risk aspect is an raised plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level.

They describe that Hcy – an amino acid – may be harmful for neurons and vascular endothelial cells, and earlier research have found association in between higher Hcy levels and memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease.

“Since homocysteine levels can be reduced with folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements, the wish has been that using these vitamins could also decrease the danger of memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease,” describes Dhonukshe-Rutten.

‘Supplementation yielded no variation in considering and memory test scores’

To additional evaluate the association among memory and supplementation, the investigators observed 2,919 individuals with an average age of 74 who were part of the B-Vitamins for the Prevention of Osteoporotic Fractures (B-PROOF) research.

Each individual had taken either a pill with 400 μg of folic acid and 500 μg of vitamin B12 or a placebo each day for 2 years. At the beginning and ending of the research, the individuals had taken part in assessments of memory and thinking abilities, and the scientists note that all individuals had high Hcy blood levels.

Dhonukshe-Rutten states that even though “the homocysteine levels reduced by more in the group using the B vitamins than in the group getting the placebo, however there was no variation among the two groups in the scores on the thinking and memory assessments.”

There were various strengths to the research, which includes its large sample size and the use of confirmed neuropsychological assessments, which made it achievable for the team to research the results of B vitamins on a broad range of cognitive functions that decrease with age.

On the other hand, there were also some restrictions. One limitation is that the two groups of participants obtained vitamin D3, high levels of which have been connected with superior cognitive efficiency and lower possibility of dementia. As like, there is a chance that vitamin D supplementation “diluted possible effects of vitamin B12 and folic acid on intellectual efficiency.”

Another restriction of the research is that it lacks intermediate measurements, making follow-up measurements difficult.