B Vitamins May Reduce Brain Shrinkage by Up to 90 Percent

B Vitamins May Reduce Brain Shrinkage by Up to 90 

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• B vitamins may slow brain shrinkage by as much as seven-fold in brain regions specifically known to be most impacted by Alzheimer’s disease
• High levels of the amino acid homocysteine are linked to brain shrinkage and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s; B vitamins are known to suppress homocysteine
• Among participants taking high doses of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12, blood levels of homocysteine were lowered as was the associated brain shrinkage – by up to 90 percent
• Folic acid is a synthetic type of B vitamin used in supplements and fortified foods, while folate is the natural form found in foods; if you take a B-vitamin supplement, make sure it contains natural folate rather than synthetic folic acid