One More Time – Folate for Functioning Brains

Only a month or so ago we discussed a study showing a link between higher folate intake and a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s in New Yorkers. Now comes a study from the Netherlands that reports the effect of oral folic acid (800 microgram daily) on cognitive performance. Over 800 participants aged 50 to 70 with raised plasma homocysteine at screening were randomly assigned to take folic acid supplements or placebo for 3 years. Those taking folate for 3 years had improved performance on tests of memory, information processing speed, and ‘sensorimotor speed’ (receipt of information and speed of effective execution). Folic acid conferred the mental performance of a younger person for the older adults, ranging from a benefit of 1.5 years to 6.9 years, depending on the particular test used.

It should be noted that the dose of folic acid taken was about 5½ times greater than the subjects’ usual folate intake. And the Netherlands people selected all had homocysteine levels above 13 micromol/L. However, this, and the previous study cited, makes us think that maybe a little extra folic acid might be a good thing. If you’re not going to take supplements, try to eat more leafy green vegetables, legumes, fruits, grains, and fortified cereals.