HEALTH NOTES

Folic Acid and Alzheimer’s

Over the past year I have published a number of articles regarding Alzheimer’s disease. This is, in part, due to a personal concern I have for this disorder as a result of my experience with a close family member. Over the years, I have made nutritional and lifestyle recommendations to patients who are either suffering themselves or who have loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. According to many researchers in this field, what we used to call dementia or memory loss due to aging is, in fact, all lumped into one category, simply “Alzheimer’s disease.”

A group of Dutch researchers have found that one specific vitamin may improve memory, and in fact slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. This study along with others have found that folic acid appears to reduce the progression of memory loss. Many of you are aware that folic acid is a nutritional supplement, specifically a B-vitamin, that has been recommended for years by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the March of Dimes for mothers to consume during their pregnancies, particular in the first trimester, to assist in reducing the likelihood that their children will have birth defects.

The interesting thing is that folic acid, like many B-vitamins, are helpful in avoiding or treating nerve related disorders. Alzheimer’s disease is actually a degeneration or atrophy of specific regions of the brain that cause memory loss. These researchers found that taking 800 micrograms of folic acid a day slowed the progression of memory loss in the elderly. 818 individuals were utilized in this study, ranging in age from 50 to 75 years. This double blind study had individuals taking either 800 micrograms of folic acid or taking a placebo. Memory testing indicated that the individuals utilizing the folic acid supplement had scores comparable with individuals 5.5 years younger than their age. On tests of their cognitive speed, those individuals taking folic acid performed as well as individuals 1.9 years younger than themselves.

According to Dr. Marilyn Albert of Johns Hopkins University, a neuroscientist who is also the chairperson of the Alzheimer’s Association Science Advisory Council, “this is significant brain protection with a supplement that is already well known to be safe.” She goes on to state that “I think I would take folic acid, assuming my doctor said it was okay. We know Alzheimer’s disease, the pathology, begins many, many years before the symptoms. We ought to be thinking about the health of our brain the same way we think about health of our heart.”

There are many ways that we can guard against the onset or prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. These include, but are not limited to, specific nutritional support. I refer you to my previous articles on Alzheimer’s disease for what I called at that time, The “Alzheimer’s Cocktail” of nutritional supplements. Also, exercising your brain is extremely important. By that I mean utilizing games or puzzles to stimulate the brain. These can include crossword puzzles or word find puzzles. Physical exercise also helps retard the progression of this disease by increasing circulation to the brain. Increased blood flow to the brain helps ward off or slow the progression of memory loss.

Equally important is maintaining social activities. A lack or decline in social stimulation and interaction with age correlates with a decline in cognitive function. If you can combine all three of these activities, something mentally, physically and socially stimulating you’re way ahead of the game. For example, being able to strategies a golf game during play, or coaching a little league baseball team. These will be two ways you will incorporate physical, mental and social stimulation.

The interesting thing is that what’s good for your heart is also good for your mind. In other words, physical activity when regulated properly under the guidance of the supervision of your doctor can be equally as beneficial for your brain as it is for your heart.

Also, the use of folic acid has been shown to have beneficial cardiovascular effects as well as beneficial cognitive effects, or positive effects on your brain.

Some theories about the reason for this include the fact that folic acid decreases inflammation in the body and may play a role in expression of dementia related genes. Some foods that contain folic acid include strawberries, oranges, dark green leafy vegetables and beans, all of which should be consumed to increase your levels naturally; however, folic acid supplementation may be an effective way to enhance your overall cognitive skill and performance.

I’d like to remind you that you can visit our website at www.upchiropractic.com to view my articles.