Could folic acid help the elderly stave off dementia?
The elderly could be encouraged to take folic acid supplements after a study suggested they could help fight dementia. Doctors found those with low levels of folate – a B vitamin – in their blood faced triple the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Those with the highest levels were least likely to suffer mental deterioration. The findings suggest eating more folate-rich fruit and vegetables could help reduce the risk of dementia. Taking folic acid supplements, which contain the vitamin in synthetic form, could also help. The findings may also strengthen the case for adding extra folic acid to flour and bread. This is already being considered to help prevent certain birth defects. Other research suggests higher blood folate levels may ward off heart disease and strokes. They have also been shown to reduce levels of homocysteine, an amino acid found in the blood. High levels of this are linked with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers, whose find
