Vitamin B’s

Vitamin B’s

Certain vitamins and fatty acids have been said to slow or prevent memory loss.
some Vitamin B’s help to keep homocysteine, an amino acid, at healthy levels. Increased levels of homocysteine are known to be associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease and increased rates of brain atrophy.

How can I get more Vitamin B’s?

Poor diet is the usual reason for low levels of vitamin B. The elderly are at particular risk because their diet tends to be limited. More rarely, some medical conditions and surgery to the bowel can result in poor absorption. Gender, smoking, body mass index and alcohol intake do not appear to be significant independent factors, though of course the cost of smoking and alcohol to those on a limited income may reduce the amount spent on healthy food. Vitamin B12 absorption from food can be affected by drugs such as metformin and proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole)

Folic acid and B6 are naturally found in most beans and green vegetables, lentils and asparagus. B12 comes from meat and fish. They can also be obtained from vitamin supplements or fortified foods. The recommended daily intake for B6 is 1.2mg – 1.4mg/day; for B12, 3mcg/day; for folate, 300mcg/day.

What are the benefits of increased Vitamin B intake?

Recent research from Oxford University has shown that taking high doses of vitamins B6, B12 and folate can significantly reduce the rate of declining memory in the elderly. This supports previous work from London which suggested folate deficiency was associated with depression and dementia.

Where can I buy high dosage Vitamin B’s?

Only in Sweden, apparently – at least, the all in one tablet as used in the Oxford clinical trials. The WellMan Clinic has commissioned a dispensing chemist to make up the same recipe in the form of a month’s bubble pack (with four tablets per bubble). Please ask us for further information.