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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A daily boost of folic acid could keep your mind sharper longer. New research reveals older adults who take the vitamin every day will likely have better memories and be able to think faster than people not taking folic acid supplements.
Researchers from the Netherlands followed about 800 adults between ages 50 and 70 who were either taking a daily dose of folic acid or a placebo. After three years, the researchers tested the participants' memory and information processing speed. Study participants in the folic acid group performed significantly better on the tests than the participants in the placebo group.
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The researchers theorize folic acid may help brain functions by lowering levels of homocysteine -- an amino acid in the blood linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and blood vessel damage.
Study authors write more trials are underway to determine what affect lowering homocysteine levels will have on vascular disease and brain function. They also write other scientists should conduct more studies like this one to confirm these findings.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: The Lancet, 2007;369:208-216
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
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