Folic acid, as well as vitamin B-12, are necessary in the synthesis of many important components of the nervous system including:

• Neurotransmitters
• Myelin
• Phosphatidylcholine
  

In addition, high levels of homocysteine in the blood have been associated with a decline in cognitive ability in the elderly. Homocysteine levels are known to rise when you are deficient in folic acid or vitamin B-12.

So the evidence appears quite strong to support folic acid. The practical question then becomes how you should obtain it. It is my belief that using foods is a far superior option to taking mega-dose folic acid supplements as they did in this study.

Fresh vegetables, especially dark green, leafy ones, are some of your best natural sources of folic acid. If your diet is lacking in these vegetables you will tend to have increased homocysteine levels and an increased risk of all degenerative diseases--including an increased risk of mental decline.

Eating plenty of fresh, uncooked vegetables is the natural way to make certain you are receiving an ideal daily dose of folic acid (and hundreds of other known and unknown nutrients).

However, it is important to understand that we all need varying amounts of vegetables. Some people need to consume 300 percent more vegetables than others to stay healthy. The amount of vegetables your body requires depends on your body's specific metabolic type. While we all need vegetables to stay healthy, your metabolic type should determine the type and amount.

One of the easiest ways to get vegetables in your diet is to consume vegetable juice regularly. It is my daily morning ritual and only takes me about 15 minutes or so to juice, drink it and clean up my mess. If you aren't familiar with juicing, consider reading my article on it, which is also the number one search term for "juicing" on Google.

If you are truly interested in slowing down the aging process, then I highly recommend you get the "Secrets of Anti-Aging" telephone clinic. Co-hosted by me, and primarily led by Ron Rosedale, M.D., who is widely considered to be the leading anti-aging doctor in the country, the "Secrets of Anti-Aging" tele clinic will teach you ALL of the following:

• Five practical ways to improve your skin

• How to increase your energy as you age gracefully

• How to improve your aches and pains & overcome your loss of flexibility

• The role supplements play in preventing aging

• How to improve your memory and reverse your mental decline

• How you can reverse the factors causing you to age rapidly and MORE!

Dr. Rosedale is extremely gifted in interpreting the complex basic science research into practical steps you can take to increase your longevity, and improve the way you feel - even if you suffer from a degenerative disease!

Related Articles:

The Top Five Foods to Increase Your Intelligence

Secret Solution to Improve Your Memory

Low Folate Levels Linked To Alzheimer's Disease