People with diabetes may have more problems with memory since narrowed arteries can limit blood flow to the brain. Exercise is one of the best things you can do to stave off memory loss. But if you're looking for a little more protection, Dutch researchers found that people who took 800 micrograms of folic acid every day had improved cognitive function.The results of their randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-year trial were reported at this weekend's meeting of Alzheimer's researchers in Washington DC.
It would be best to check with your doctor for the go-ahead on a folic acid supplement. If you'd rather get your folic acid in food, here are some good sources:
▪ Liver
▪ Green leafy vegetables
▪ Beans and legumes
▪ Citrus fruits and their juices
▪ Wheat germ and products made with the whole wheat grain
▪ Breakfast cereals (fortified)
For a summary of the research:
Study: Extra Folic Acid May Protect Brain
For the study itself:
Visit The Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Prevention of Dementia and search for the abstract:
Jane Durga, et al. Effect of 3-year folic acid supplementation on cognitive function in older adults. A randomized, double blind, controlled trial.
Photo thanks to Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.
