Nutraceuticals and nootropics for anti-aging

Folic acid supplementation improves brain functioning in older adults.

A study in Holland of adults aged 50–75 has shown that modest doses of folic acid significantly improve memory and other cognitive functions. In the study, subjects who used folic acid at 800 micrograms/day for three years scored as well on memory tests as non-users five years younger; users also scored as well on cognitive speed tests as non-users two years younger.

These results should not be a surprise to vitamin experts. After all, it has been known since 1983 that folic acid levels in the blood correlate with cognitive function. The shocking thing is that it has taken the medical research establishment more than 20 years to follow up on this clue.

Links to news articles:

Extra folic acid may protect brain

Folic acid may keep brain younger

Links to research articles:

Folate deficiency inhibits proliferation of adult hippocampal progenitors.

Hyperhomocysteinemia Is Associated with Lower Performance on Memory Tasks in Post-Menopausal Women.

Association between nutritional status and cognitive functioning in a healthy elderly population.

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LifeLink carries folic acid in 5 mg capsules.