Maybe, according to a recent Yahoo News article, titled “Higher Folate Levels May Lower Alzheimer’s Risk.” The article, which appeared on January 9, details a study done on the effects of the nutrient folate on an individual’s chance of getting Alzheimer’s.
Conducted by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center, this study examined nearly one thousand elderly people who showed no signs of dementia. Almost one fifth of that group developed Alzheimer’s before the six-year study was over.
Of the individuals that didn’t develop the disease, one key dietary factor was noted. Those that didn’t develop the disease received higher amounts of the nutrient folate, and more importantly, the intake of their folate came from diet and supplements. Researchers could note no significant effect on a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s from just dietary intake or just supplemental intake.
So what is folate, and why might it help?
Folate and folic acid are a big ingredient in prenatal vitamins. Folate is found naturally in leafy greens, fortified cereals, and some fruits and veggies. Folate is a water-soluble form of vitamin B, and plays a large part in the production and health of new and developing cells. Individuals low in folate can experience anemia and in addition, their bodies may not be able to fight off changes in DNA that cause cancer and other illnesses, like Alzheimer’s.
If you’d like to find out how to get more folate in your diet, outside of nutritional supplements, check out the Folate page at HealthLink.com.
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