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Page 36 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysMag.com 6. B Vitamins High homocysteine levels, along with low levels of B vitamins (e.g., folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6), have been associated with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. • Vitamin B12. In a study evaluating levels of vitamin B12 in patients with either Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, researchers found that lower B12 levels were linked to greater cognitive deterioration. A population-based longitudinal study of people 75 or older without dementia found that those with low levels of vitamin B12 or folate had twice the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease over a three-year period. • Vitamin B6. A study found that Alzheimer's patients after age 60 consumed a significantly lower amount of vitamin B6 compared to control subjects. In addition, low vitamin B6 levels were associated with elevated numbers of lesions in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. • Folate. Folate is needed for DNA synthesis. In a study including 30 subjects with Alzheimer's disease, levels of folate in cerebrospinal fluid were significantly lower in patients with late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Another longitudinal analysis of people aged 70 to 79 years found that those with either high levels of homocysteine or low levels of folate had impaired cognitive function. The link to cognitive impairment was strongest for low folate levels, leading researchers to suggest that folate might reduce the risk of cognitive decline. •Niacin. A study of more than 6,000 people, conducted between 1993 and 2002, found that high levels of dietary niacin (vitamin B3) protected against Alzheimer's disease. The authors researched the dietary habits of initially healthy people aged 65 years or older. As the study progressed, some participants developed Alzheimer's disease and some remained healthy. Subjects with the highest intake of niacin had a 70% reduction in risk of cognitive decline. 7. Vitamin D The wide distribution of vitamin D receptors in the brain may be evidence for vitamin D's importance in neurological function. Studies show that clearance of amyloid beta across the blood-brain barrier is promoted by adequate levels of vitamin D. Animal tests showed 1.3 times greater rate of amyloid beta elimination with vitamin D supplementation, pointing to a potential preventive effect against Alzheimer's disease. Among nearly 500 women followed for 7 years, those in the highest quintile (1/5th) for vitamin D intake had a more than 75% reduction in risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to those in the lowest quintile. 8. Coenzyme Q10 Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been found to improve outcomes in several neurodegenerative disorders involving loss of mitochondrial function. Studies have shown that levels of CoQ10 are altered in Alzheimer's disease, and supplementation has been suggested as part of an integrated approach to improve mitochondrial function in Alzheimer's disease. 9. N-acetylcysteine N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a precursor to glutathione, a powerful scavenger of free radicals in the body. Glutathione deficiency has been associated with a number of neurodegenerative diseases. One study showed that NAC significantly increased glutathione levels and reduced oxidative stress in rodents treated with a known free radical–producing agent. Another study showed that glutathione-deficient mice were more vulnerable to neuronal damage from amyloid beta. An animal model of Alzheimer's found that NAC alleviated oxidative damage and cognitive decline.