Folic Acid May Prevent Alzheimer's

Folic Acid May Prevent Alzheimer's

BETHESDA, Md.--In a study sponsored by the National Institute on Aging and published inthe April issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was found thatelderly women with low levels of folate in blood samples had atrophy of the cerebralcortex. Classified as "The Nun Study," 678 nuns, 75 to 103 years old,participated in annual assessments of cognitive and physical function as well as allowingfull access to archival and medical records. It was found that when these women died, asignificant amount of Alzheimer lesions were found in their brains. This research suggeststhat supplementation of folic acid may prevent brain degeneration that leads toAlzheimer's disease. For more information about this study, visit www.coa.uky.edu/nunnet.