B Vitamins May Slow Cognitive Decline, Tufts Researchers Say

B Vitamins May Slow Cognitive Decline, Tufts Researchers Say
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Emerging research from Tufts University suggests that deficiencies in B vitamins, particularly B12 and folate, could be a significant and underdiagnosed factor contributing to cognitive decline and dementia, SciTech Daily reported. A report by Tufts researchers highlights the critical role of these vitamins in brain function and nerve health, arguing that supplementation could be a simple, inexpensive way to slow the process in at-risk individuals.

The research, led by gastroenterologist Joel Mason and professors Irwin H. Rosenberg and Paul Jacques, outlines how five of the most studied B vitamins influence both cognitive performance and cardiovascular health. They explain that B vitamins are central to “one carbon metabolism,” which is vital for cellular functions like DNA synthesis.

According to the researchers, by age 75, about 40% of individuals have a reduced ability to absorb food-bound vitamin B12. This deficiency can lead to the deterioration of nerve health in the brain and spinal cord. Irwin H. Rosenberg, a Jean Mayer University Professor Emeritus, notes that B12 deficiency’s contribution to cognitive decline and dementia is “underdiagnosed and underreported.” He suggests that age-related cognitive decline is not solely Alzheimer’s and is often linked to vascular diseases, which can be influenced by nutritional deficiencies.

The report also touches on the potential role of B vitamins in heart disease, with some studies showing that supplementation can slightly lower the risk of strokes. Researchers are also exploring the role of Vitamin B6 in curbing chronic inflammation, which is an underlying factor in many chronic diseases.