B Saves Aging Brains

By:   Jean Carper

Taking 800 micrograms of folic acid (a B Vitamin) every day might help keep your brain from going into cognitive decline as you get older. That's the landmark finding of a Dutch study.

More than 800 people ages 50 to 70 who took an 800 mcg folic acid pill daily for three years scored better on cognitive tests than those on a placebo. In fact, the folic acid users scored as well on memory tests as people five years younger. And they processed info as fast as people two years younger.

One explanation: In the study, folic acid lowered blood levels of homocysteine by 25%. High homocysteine is tied to increased risk of heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer's.

Copyright 2004 Jean Carper. Printed first in USA Weekend. All rights reserved.

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