Is Folic Acid a Secret to Slowing Mental Aging?
A diet high in folic acid is known to have a number of health benefits including lowering birth defects and improving heart and circulatory health by reducing strokes and disease.
And recent studies in Holland indicate that taking 800 micrograms per day might also protect the functioning of the brain.
As the general population ages, there are increasing concerns about Alzheimer's and other causes of cognitive and memory decline.
Certainly good brain functioning is something that everyone wants and needs for quality of life.
The results of the Dutch study indicated that subjects aged 50-75, who were given a folic acid supplement performed better on memory tests and cognitive speed tests.
They showed scoring results almost two years younger than those who had taken a placebo or sugar pill.
Folate is known to be necessary in coordinating many of the components of the nervous system including the neurotransmitters, myelin and phosphatidycholine.
Neurotransmitters, chemicals in your brain, play a role in regulating mood and transmitting signals.
Myelin is a white fatty sheath that lines nerve fibers and protects the neurons.
Phosphatidycholine is a molecule which is necessary for proper bodily function.
Exactly how folate functions to protect the brain is not yet clear, but some studies suggest that it lowers inflammation.
Homocysteine is a natural byproduct of body function, but when it reaches high levels it can be damaging to cells.
These levels increase when you are deficient in folic acid or Vitamin B-12.
It functions in breaking down homocysteine.
This is common in elderly people and also has been found in anyone suffering from depression.
Some researchers suggest that the folic acid plays a role in positively affecting dementia-related genes.
This may be of particular interest to those with a family history.
If you eat high folate foods such as beans, citrus fruits, dark leafy green vegetables and strawberries, your health will benefit.
Some find it difficult to eat enough of these foods to get the required 800 micrograms.
Also elderly people often have trouble metabolizing B vitamins, as do many suffering from depression.
And so supplementing may be necessary.
Slowing mental aging as well as treating depression is in everyone's best interests.
We often forget that good nutrition provides the building blocks of cellular health and good brain functioning.
A good supply of folic acid benefits you as you age.
And recent studies in Holland indicate that taking 800 micrograms per day might also protect the functioning of the brain.
As the general population ages, there are increasing concerns about Alzheimer's and other causes of cognitive and memory decline.
Certainly good brain functioning is something that everyone wants and needs for quality of life.
The results of the Dutch study indicated that subjects aged 50-75, who were given a folic acid supplement performed better on memory tests and cognitive speed tests.
They showed scoring results almost two years younger than those who had taken a placebo or sugar pill.
Folate is known to be necessary in coordinating many of the components of the nervous system including the neurotransmitters, myelin and phosphatidycholine.
Neurotransmitters, chemicals in your brain, play a role in regulating mood and transmitting signals.
Myelin is a white fatty sheath that lines nerve fibers and protects the neurons.
Phosphatidycholine is a molecule which is necessary for proper bodily function.
Exactly how folate functions to protect the brain is not yet clear, but some studies suggest that it lowers inflammation.
Homocysteine is a natural byproduct of body function, but when it reaches high levels it can be damaging to cells.
These levels increase when you are deficient in folic acid or Vitamin B-12.
It functions in breaking down homocysteine.
This is common in elderly people and also has been found in anyone suffering from depression.
Some researchers suggest that the folic acid plays a role in positively affecting dementia-related genes.
This may be of particular interest to those with a family history.
If you eat high folate foods such as beans, citrus fruits, dark leafy green vegetables and strawberries, your health will benefit.
Some find it difficult to eat enough of these foods to get the required 800 micrograms.
Also elderly people often have trouble metabolizing B vitamins, as do many suffering from depression.
And so supplementing may be necessary.
Slowing mental aging as well as treating depression is in everyone's best interests.
We often forget that good nutrition provides the building blocks of cellular health and good brain functioning.
A good supply of folic acid benefits you as you age.
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