Angeline
Tue, Aug-16-05, 09:23
15/08/05 - Health news section
Eating fruit and vegetables high in the B vitamin folic acid can more than halve the risk of developing Alzheimer's, according to a new US study.
Researchers found that older people who consumed the recommended daily amount of the nutrient, found in leafy green vegetables such as spinach, had a 55% lower risk of contracting the disease.
The study was carried out by scientists at the University of California-Irvine who followed the eating habits of 579 people aged 60 and above for ten years.
None showed any signs of dementia when the study began and 57 went on to develop Alzheimer's.
However, those who did consume the 400 micrograms recommended daily amount of folic acid did so through supplements as opposed to diet, researchers found.
William Thies, vice president of the US Alzheimer's Association, said: "This report bolsters evidence that adequate folic acid may help the brain, nervous system and heart and blood vessels in a variety of ways.
"It's looking increasingly as if folic acid remains important for brain health throughout life."
Dr Maria Corrada, who led the study, said other factors may be responsible for the reduction in risk.
"People with a high intake of one nutrient are likely to have a high intake of several nutrients, and may generally have a healthy lifestyle," she said.
"Additional studies are necessary to determine whether folate has a direct, causal role in risk reduction for Alzheimer's and to determine appropriate recommendations." The study was published in the first issue of the Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.
Find this story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/thehealthnews.html?in_article_id=359378&in_page_id=1797
©2005 Associated New Media
Eating fruit and vegetables high in the B vitamin folic acid can more than halve the risk of developing Alzheimer's, according to a new US study.
Researchers found that older people who consumed the recommended daily amount of the nutrient, found in leafy green vegetables such as spinach, had a 55% lower risk of contracting the disease.
The study was carried out by scientists at the University of California-Irvine who followed the eating habits of 579 people aged 60 and above for ten years.
None showed any signs of dementia when the study began and 57 went on to develop Alzheimer's.
However, those who did consume the 400 micrograms recommended daily amount of folic acid did so through supplements as opposed to diet, researchers found.
William Thies, vice president of the US Alzheimer's Association, said: "This report bolsters evidence that adequate folic acid may help the brain, nervous system and heart and blood vessels in a variety of ways.
"It's looking increasingly as if folic acid remains important for brain health throughout life."
Dr Maria Corrada, who led the study, said other factors may be responsible for the reduction in risk.
"People with a high intake of one nutrient are likely to have a high intake of several nutrients, and may generally have a healthy lifestyle," she said.
"Additional studies are necessary to determine whether folate has a direct, causal role in risk reduction for Alzheimer's and to determine appropriate recommendations." The study was published in the first issue of the Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.
Find this story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/thehealthnews.html?in_article_id=359378&in_page_id=1797
©2005 Associated New Media