(Full press release on the study is available from the Medical Research Council) – while most people diagnosed with dementia have Alzheimer’s, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s requires confirmation with a brain scan that shows degeneration of this specific area of the brain.
The discovery that the medial temporal lobe virtually stops shrinking in some people with high dose B vitamins is a highly important and convincing breakthrough in understanding what causes, and can prevent Alzheimer’s. The study, led by Professor David Smith from the University of Oxford, gave a combination of vitamin B6 (20mg), B12 (500mcg) and folic acid (800mcg) or placebo pills to people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the stage before a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s. “In those with high homocysteine levels, the specific areas of the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease shrank 8 times more slowly in those taking B vitamins than in those on the placebo. This is strongly indicative that the B vitamins may be substantially slowing down, or even potentially arresting, the disease process in those with early stage cognitive decline. This is the first treatment that has been shown to do this.” said Professor David Smith. “This is the first treatment that has been shown to potentially arrest Alzheimer’s related brain shrinkage.” Professor David Smith, Oxford University. (Reproduced with permission of PNAS. Yellow denotes area of significant atrophy in 2 years)
In a previous study the Oxford research group had shown that the higher a person’s homocysteineHomocysteine is an amino acid found in the blood. Elevated levels of homocysteine have been associated with narrowing and hardening of the arteries, an increased… level, which is a reliable marker for Alzheimer’s risk, the greater was the rate of shrinkage of the whole brain, and that lowering homocysteine with B vitamins markedly slowed any further memory decline in those with raised homocysteine levels.
[2] Approximately half of all people over 65 have a level of homocysteine above that associated with accelerated brain shrinkage which means that, according to this research, it may be possible to prevent up to half of all cases of Alzheimer’s or at least considerably slow down its development providing those at risk are identified early. The global cost of Alzheimer’s dementia is estimated at $604 billion so the likely cost savings are immense.
According to Professor Smith “This makes the need for early screening for the first signs of cognitive decline from the age of 50, for example with the Cognitive Function Test at www.foodforthebrain.org vitally important, backed up by homocysteine testing and potential B vitamin treatment. Our study shows that those with a homocysteine level above 10mcmol/l, which is about half of all people over age 65, potentially may benefit with reduced brain shrinkage by taking high dose B6, B12 and folic acid, but this should be done under medical supervision. Because the study shows for the first time that modification of the disease process in Alzheimer’s is possible, it opens up other approaches to prevention by modifying other risk factors.” The Cognitive Function test is an on-line 15 minute screening test anyone can do to check your memory, offered for free by the charity foodforthebrain.org. If a person’s results are not good they receive a letter to take to their GP recommending homocysteine testing. GPs can test your homocysteine level, which is a routine screening in Germany and Scandinavia, but rarely performed in the UK.
It can also be done privately at most medical laboratories or with a home test kit (see yorktest.com). According to this research anyone with a level above 10mcmol/l can benefit from supplementing a high daily dose of B6 (20mg), B12 (500mcg) and folic acidWhat it does: Critical during pregnancy for the development of a baby’s brain and nerves. Also essential for brain and nerve function. Needed for utilising… (800mcg). These doses, which have now been shown to stop memory loss and brain shrinkage are much higher than you can get from a good diet alone. For example, the basic recommended daily amount (RDA) of B12 is 1mcg while the level that stops accelerated brain shrinkage in those with cognitive impairment is 500mcg. This dose is considered to be safe, but means taking specific homocysteine lowering supplements that are available in health stores, not just any multivitamin or B complex.
Some also provide tri-methyl glycine (TMG) and zincWhat it does: Component of over 200 enzymes in the body, essential for growth, important for healing, controls hormones, aids ability to cope with stress…, which also help lower homocysteine. But these high doses are not necessary in those with healthy homocysteine levels, ideally of 7 or less. However, even in those with a homocysteine level below 10 it is a wise precaution to take a multivitamin that provides at least 10mcg of B12, 20mg of B6 and 200mcg of folic acid. According to this research anyone with a level above 10mcmol/l can benefit from supplementing a high daily dose of B6 (20mg), B12 (500mcg) and folic acid (800mcg). These doses, which have now been shown to stop memory loss and brain shrinkage are much higher than you can get from a good diet alone. For example, the basic recommended daily amount (RDA) of B12 is 1mcg while the level that stops accelerated brain shrinkage in those with cognitive impairment is 500mcg. This dose is considered to be safe, but means taking specific homocysteine lowering supplements that are available in health stores, not just any multivitamin or B complex. Some also provide tri-methyl glycine (TMG) and zinc, which also help lower homocysteine. But these high doses are not necessary in those with healthy homocysteine levels, ideally of 7 or less. However, even in those with a homocysteine level below 10 it is a wise precaution to take a multivitamin that provides at least 10mcg of B12, 20mg of B6 and 200mcg of folic acid.
Other areas that Professor Smith and I think are worthy of exploring for research into prevention include the high risks associated with diabetes and obesity, and hence high sugar and carbohydrateCarbohydrates are the primary source of energy for the body as they can be broken down into glucose (sugar) more readily than either protein or… diets, and the potential benefits of increasing antioxidantAntioxidants are substances that protect cells within the body from damage caused by free radicals. They help to strengthen the body’s ability to fight infection… and omega 3 supplements and foods, such as vegetables, berries and fish. A trial last month found that supplements of DHADHA is short for Docosahexaenoic Acid. It is an essential omega-3 fatty acid found in fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring, and is often…, a type of omega 3 fatThere are many different types of fats; polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, hydrogenated, saturated and trans fat. The body requires good fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated) in order to… found in oily fish, taken over 6 months improved memory in adults
[3] while previous research found it improved memory in those with age-related memory decline
[4]. There is a highly informative film on Alzheimer’s prevention, and a downloadable ‘Ten Alzheimer’s Prevention Steps’ at www.foodforthebrain.org. Also my book, The Alzheimer’s Prevention Plan, contains 10 proven ways to stop memory decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, available here.
REFERENCES
1. Douaud, G., et al. (2013) Preventing Alzheimer’s disease-related gray matter atrophy by B vitamin treatment Proceedings National Academy Sciences in press. 2. Smith, A.D. et al., ‘Homocysteine-lowering by B vitamins slows the rate of accelerated brain atrophy in mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial’, Public Library of Science ONE, 5(9) (2010); see also De Jager, C. et al., ‘Cognitive and clinical outcomes of homocysteine lowering B vitamin treatment in mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial’, Int J Geriatr Psychiatry (2011) Jul 21. doi: 10.1002/gps.2758. 3. Stonehouse W et al., ‘DHA supplementation improved both memory and reaction time in healthy young adults: a randomized controlled trial’ Am J Clin Nutr. (2013) 97(5):1134-43 4. Yurko-Mauro K et al., ‘Beneficial effects of docosahexaenoic acid on cognition in age-related cognitive decline’ Alzheimer’s Dement. (2010) 6(6):456-64
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