BJN: High levels of folic acid increase risk of cognitive decline in older adults

, June 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --- A new study led by researchers at Trinity College Dublin,"""""daily health/--- researchers at Trinity College Dublin, lead a new study that found that high levels of folic acid in the blood increase the risk of cognitive impairment in older people and higher risk in people with low levels of vitamin B12the study was recently published in the British Journal of Nutritionvitamin B12 and folic acid are essential vitamins for both the nervous system and healthy blood cellsA lack of folic acid in the early stages of pregnancy can lead to neural tube defects (NTD) in newborn babiesThat's why folic acid is mandatory in food in the United States and other countries(picture:has been shown toto reduce NTD, but some studies in the United States have shown that high levels of folate in older adults, combined with low levels of vitamin B12, can lead to poor brain function and cognitive declinethe study used blood samples from more than 3,700 Irish people over the age of 50 to compare the cognitive health of individuals grouped by a combination of vitamin B12 and folic acid blood levelsThe study found no evidence that high levels of folic acid in the blood affected cognitive decline in those with low levels of vitamin B12In addition, higher levels of folic acid in these older adults appear to be associated with better cognitive functionthe following major findings: Older people with low levels of vitamin B12 and high levels of folic acid are not cognitively competent (1.5 per cent of older Irish elders); Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with cognitive impairment and nerve damageVitamin B12 may be difficult for older people due to reduced digestive function or medicationFolic acid deficiency can lead to anemia and is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and certain cancers(Biovalley Bioon.com)Source:Study: High Folate Levels San Srisk of the poor cognition inadults
original origin:O'Connor, DMA., et al(2020)Plasma SBritish Journal of Nutrition.
doi.org/10.1017/S0007114520001427.