Several studies in the past have acknowledged the active role of B vitamins to a healthy, aging brain.  What remains unanswered up to now, however, is the direct bearing of B vitamins like folate to brain function.  How much folate is needed to keep the brain healthy? How much vitamin B6 is needed to prevent cognitive decline?

B vitamins & brain function

The study, which was spearheaded by researchers from the United States Department of Agriculture, focused on arriving at clear answers to important questions regarding the causal pathways between the eight B vitamins and the human brain.

The researchers made use of data going as far back as 1996 (Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging) to analyze actual B vitamin levels from blood samples of respondents. The total number of respondents for this study is 1,800 seniors with Hispanic ancestry.

The need for this study was also due to the fact that existing studies on B vitamins provided inconsistent results e.g. standard testing methods were not used, which makes it more difficult to make general health recommendations for the national population.

Did the researchers discover something worthwhile with their study?   Fortunately, they did.  The scientists were able to zero in on a particular B vitamin called folate, which is an important catalyst in the normal development of developing fetuses.

It appears that the benefits of this particular B vitamin extended all the way to the golden years of a person, because according to the findings of the study, individuals with low levels of folate in their blood plasma were more at risk for developing dementia and other types of cognitive decline.

Low levels of folate in males was also linked to a higher incidence of depression. And clinical depression itself affected the functional power of the human brain, which makes it a very debilitating mental condition.

In another study launched by the USDA, it was also found that metabolic abnormalities resulting from regular deficiencies in B vitamins also physically affected the brain by reducing the length of the capillaries in the brain matter.  According to Dr. Aaron Troen, animal tests showed that even the capillary density of the brain was affected by low levels of B vitamins.

Sources:
sciencedaily.com
sciencedaily.com