Thaindian News

By Madhuri Dey
Sep 12, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Scientists have come up with a new study that suggests that regular doses of Vitamin B might reduce the chances of Alzheimer’s disease in older people. The study that was published in the journal Public Library of Science One, states that high doses of Vitamin B halved the rate of brain shrinkage in older people who have been experiencing some signs of cognitive impairment. Researchers have found that intake of Vitamin B might be counted as a way of delaying the onset of Alzheimer.

Millions of people across the globe are affected by the deadly disease that eats up memory leading the individual to dementia. Alzheimer happens due to brain shrinkage and Vitamin B if not stops it from happening, delays the process. The study took into account cases of 168 elderly people who had experienced levels of mental decline known as mild cognitive impairment. Researchers suggest that mild cognitive impairment is characterized by memory lapses and language problems which in general are considered as signs of ageing. However, these could very well be the precursor to Alzheimer’s disease or other kinds of dementia.

Halves of the volunteers were assigned daily tablets of B vitamins folate, B6 and B12 whose levels were much higher than what in general are recommended to patients. The other group was given doses of placebo. After two years of consumption, the researchers measured the rate at which the brains of the volunteers had shrunk and Oxford Project to investigate Memory and Aging found that all those patients who used Vitamin B supplements registered a slower rate of brain shrinkage. The brain shrinkage slowed down by 30%. The study has thrown light on the importance of vitamins in the treatment of Alzheimer.