Fit Fare

As the population ages, we hear more and more about Alzheimer’s disease, which gradually destroys cognitive function in affected people as they age. Memory and the ability to process new information declines, and the risk of dementia increases. It can become personal when it occurs in your own family. Like an increasing number of people, I have family members who died from Alzheimer’s on the maternal and paternal side of my family. The tragedy of watching this disease ravage family members becomes even more complicated when you realize that you may be at risk of getting it eventually.

A variety of approaches have been recommended to stave off Alzheimer’s, included learning a new language and other activities that challenge the brain. The role of diet has also been examined. Recently, research has looked at the role of folate, with results that suggest that increasing the amount of folate in people over the age of 50 may help cognitive performance.

Folic acid, which is a B vitamin, has long been recommended to prevent neural tube birth defects in newborns. It’s now been shown to help prevent the risk of heart attacks in people with high homocysteine levels. And recent research conducted on adults who were given folic acid supplements showed improved cognitive functioning, especially in the areas of memory and information processing speed. As their folate levels increased the research subject’s homocysteine levels fell dramatically, which is certainly a good thing.

As well, a recent report in the Dutch Annals of Internal Medicine found that people taking folic acid supplements had less age related decline in their hearing over time.

Folic acid is found in beans and legumes, citrus fruits, whole grains, dark, leafy vegetables, poultry, pork, shellfish, and liver. In the United States, folate is added to cereal and flour products.

Because Alzheimer’s seems to begin years before actual symptoms occur, it would seem that ensuring taking steps that may help delay or prevent it altogether would be wise. This is the same approach that has been advised for years with heart disease. Folate appears to provide protection for the arteries, helping our heart and our brains. And the foods high in folic acid are foods we should be incorporating into our diets anyway. For some people, checking with their doctor about taking folic supplements might be a good idea. As a person who worries that this horrible disease may become much too personal, any information that could help in the battle is great news.