Vitamin deficiency may cause brain shrinkage in older people, Oxford researchers say

A new study suggests that a vitamin found in milk, fish and meat may prove helpful to avoid memory loss in old age.

The researcher concluded in their study, which published in the journal Neurology, older people who had lower than average vitamin B12 levels were six times more likely to have brain shrinkage. The study was conducted by the University of Oxford and 107 (apparently healthy) volunteers were examined over a five year period.

There are many such studies as suggest that two out of five elderly people have vitamin deficiency. The problem of vitamin deficiency is quite common in older people.

The Oxford researchers looked at a group of people aged 61 to 87 and divided them into three sub-groups considering their vitamin B12 levels.

More than three percent of the participants with the lowest levels of vitamins were above the point that researchers consider vitamin B12 deficiency.

According to lead researcher Professor David Smith, his team is now planning a trial of vitamin Bs in the older people to find whether proper supply of these vitamins can slow down brain shrinkage or not.

Smith said: “Our study helps to understand the effects of vitamin Bs on the brain as it seems that the rate of brain shrinkage in aged people is influenced by the diet they have.”

Brain shrinkage is related to a higher risk of developing dementia in older people. However, many scientists believe that further research is needed in this regard.

Related Links:

• University of Oxford
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B12_deficiency