The intake of vitamin B does not slow down the age-related decline in mental abilities and does not prevent Alzheimer's, as previously thought.

This was stated by the authors of the new study.

People with Alzheimer's disease have an elevated homocysteine ??level in the blood, and people with an elevated level of this substance are more likely to suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

It is well known that folic acid (vitamin B9) and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) reduce the content of homocysteine ??in the blood. Therefore, some experts were confident that the intake of B vitamins can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. However, the latest review, published in the journal American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, showed completely different results.

"It was interesting to discover the very opposite. Our study sums up the debate: B group vitamins do not slow the decline in cognitive functions with age. The use of folic acid and vitamin B12, unfortunately, does not prevent Alzheimer's, "says the author of the study, Dr. Robert Clarke, an employee of Oxford University in England.

British scientists analyzed the data of 22 000 people who participated in 11 clinical trials, during which the effect of B vitamins on the cognitive function of the elderly was tested. B group vitamins actually reduced the homocysteine ??content in the blood by a quarter, but this did not affect cognitive functions in any way.

"Although one study conducted in 2010 showed that in people with high homocysteine, B-group vitamins slow the brain's" drying out, "our comprehensive review failed to confirm the effect of these vitamins on either age-related impairment of mental ability or the risk of Alzheimer's, - summed up in the news release Dr. Simon Ridley (Simon Ridley), research director of Alzheimer's Research UK.

"This result of our analysis is not at all what we had hoped to see.

But this once again underscores that any new potential treatment method must first be tested in large and comprehensive studies before talking about its effects, "added Ridley.

Dr. Clarke offered practical advice: "About 25-30% of the adult population takes multivitamins, very often hoping for their benefit to the heart and brain, but not having that confirmation. It is much better to eat more fruits and vegetables, avoid a lot of meat and calories, that is, adhere to a balanced diet ".

medbe. en.