High Folic Acid May Slow Mental Aging

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http://www.mercola.com/2005/jul/5/folic_acid_aging.htm

 

High Folic Acid May Slow Mental Aging

 

A diet higher in folate has been linked to a variety of health

benefits such as reducing birth defects and warding off heart disease

and strokes. Moreover, according to a Dutch study, taking 800

micrograms of folic acid a day might also help ward off the cognitive

decline of aging.

 

In the study, more than 800 cognitively healthy patients (aged 50-75)

were given either a folic acid supplement or a placebo for three

years. Patients who took the supplement performed well on memory tests

(with scores comparable to people more than five years younger) and

cognitive speed tests (with results scoring almost two years younger

than their peers).

 

Though it is unclear how folic acid works to protect the brain, some

studies suggest folate lowers inflammation; others suggest it may play

a role in expression of dementia-related genes. Either way, folate can

be found naturally in:

 

* Dark-green leafy vegetables

* Strawberries

* Oranges

* Beans

 

San Francisco Chronicle June 20, 2005

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

Folic acid, as well as vitamin B-12, are necessary in the synthesis of

many important components of the nervous system including:

 

* Neurotransmitters

* Myelin

* Phosphatidylcholine

 

In addition, high levels of homocysteine in the blood have been

associated with a decline in cognitive ability in the elderly.

Homocysteine levels are known to rise when you are deficient in folic

acid or vitamin B-12.

 

So the evidence appears quite strong to support folic acid. The

practical question then becomes how you should obtain it. It is my

belief that using foods is a far superior option to taking mega-dose

folic acid supplements as they did in this study.

 

Fresh vegetables, especially dark green, leafy ones, are some of your

best natural sources of folic acid. If your diet is lacking in these

vegetables you will tend to have increased homocysteine levels and an

increased risk of all degenerative diseases--including an increased

risk of mental decline.

 

Eating plenty of fresh, uncooked vegetables is the natural way to make

certain you are receiving an ideal daily dose of folic acid (and

hundreds of other known and unknown nutrients).

 

However, it is important to understand that we all need varying

amounts of vegetables. Some people need to consume 300 percent more

vegetables than others to stay healthy. The amount of vegetables your

body requires depends on your body's specific metabolic type. While we

all need vegetables to stay healthy, your metabolic type should

determine the type and amount.

 

One of the easiest ways to get vegetables in your diet is to consume

vegetable juice regularly. It is my daily morning ritual and only

takes me about 15 minutes or so to juice, drink it and clean up my

mess. If you aren't familiar with juicing, consider reading my article

on it, which is also the number one search term for " juicing " on Google.

 

Related Articles:

 

The Top Five Foods to Increase Your Intelligence

 

Secret Solution to Improve Your Memory

 

Low Folate Levels Linked To Alzheimer's Disease