Evidence is building up, that there could indeed be a link between the amount of vitamin B12 we're taking and the our risks of developing Alzheimer's disease.
A news study conducted in Finland, and published in the journal Neurology, showed that out of 271 people, those with the highest levels of vitamin B12 also had the lowest risks of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
Before we can really understand just exactly what role vitamin B12 plays, there will have to be more research conducted. B12 is found primarily in animal products such as meat, eggs and dairy, however it's also found in super foods including wheatgrass and maca powder.
It's been established for some years, that there's a connection between Alzheimer's and B vitamins. This is due to a chemical in the body called homocysteine, which can increase risks of dementia and stroke.
Increasing blood levels of Vitamin B12 can lower the levels of homocysteine.
'Brain shrinkage' that has been connected to Alzheimer's, was the subject of a study in Sweden at the Karolinska Institute. It found that 'brain shrinkage' slowed down in older people, when they took more vitamins including B12.
It was a seven year study that looked at people aged between 65 to 79, all of whom were tested and found not to have dementia at the start of the study. During the seven years, 17 people were diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
The scientists at Karolinska Institute, looked to see if levels of B12 were a factor, and they found that those people who had the highest levels of did appear to have a lower risk.
From the University of Oslo, Prof Helga Refsum an expert in B12, gave his comments on this study saying that this was further evidence", that low levels of vitamin B12 had a link to Alzheimer's.
"Though relatively small, with few cases of dementia, it should act as another incentive to start a large scale trial with homocysteine-lowering therapy using B vitamins to see whether such a simple treatment may slow the development of Alzheimer's or other dementia."
The Alzheimer's Research Trust Chief Executive, Rebecca Wood, gave the findings a cautious welcome, saying "It might be tempting at this stage to stock up the cupboard with B vitamin in the light of recent findings - it remains too early to do that at this stage.
"The strongest evidence we have for reducing dementia risk is to eat a healthy, balanced diet, take moderate exercise, and keep cholesterol and blood pressure in check, particularly in mid-life."
One of the simplest ways to ensure you get enough B12 is by adding super foods to your diet, this is especially important if you're following a vegetarian or vegan diet. Maca and wheatgrass powder are good sources.
A news study conducted in Finland, and published in the journal Neurology, showed that out of 271 people, those with the highest levels of vitamin B12 also had the lowest risks of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
Before we can really understand just exactly what role vitamin B12 plays, there will have to be more research conducted. B12 is found primarily in animal products such as meat, eggs and dairy, however it's also found in super foods including wheatgrass and maca powder.
It's been established for some years, that there's a connection between Alzheimer's and B vitamins. This is due to a chemical in the body called homocysteine, which can increase risks of dementia and stroke.
Increasing blood levels of Vitamin B12 can lower the levels of homocysteine.
'Brain shrinkage' that has been connected to Alzheimer's, was the subject of a study in Sweden at the Karolinska Institute. It found that 'brain shrinkage' slowed down in older people, when they took more vitamins including B12.
It was a seven year study that looked at people aged between 65 to 79, all of whom were tested and found not to have dementia at the start of the study. During the seven years, 17 people were diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
The scientists at Karolinska Institute, looked to see if levels of B12 were a factor, and they found that those people who had the highest levels of did appear to have a lower risk.
From the University of Oslo, Prof Helga Refsum an expert in B12, gave his comments on this study saying that this was further evidence", that low levels of vitamin B12 had a link to Alzheimer's.
"Though relatively small, with few cases of dementia, it should act as another incentive to start a large scale trial with homocysteine-lowering therapy using B vitamins to see whether such a simple treatment may slow the development of Alzheimer's or other dementia."
The Alzheimer's Research Trust Chief Executive, Rebecca Wood, gave the findings a cautious welcome, saying "It might be tempting at this stage to stock up the cupboard with B vitamin in the light of recent findings - it remains too early to do that at this stage.
"The strongest evidence we have for reducing dementia risk is to eat a healthy, balanced diet, take moderate exercise, and keep cholesterol and blood pressure in check, particularly in mid-life."
One of the simplest ways to ensure you get enough B12 is by adding super foods to your diet, this is especially important if you're following a vegetarian or vegan diet. Maca and wheatgrass powder are good sources.
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There are many super foods that are packed full of nutrition, including maca and organic wheatgrass
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