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Folic acid, a nutrient found
in green leafy vegetables, liver, kidney, whole grains and nuts, is important
in the development of the central nervous system and in the maintenance
of blood vessels. Lack of this nutrient can cause birth defects in the
developing fetus. Women who have low levels of folate, the by-product
of folic acid found in the blood, appear to be at greater risk of Alzheimer's
disease.
In the study of 30 nuns who
participated in a long-term study of Alzheimer's disease, half had brain
changes consistent with the memory-robbing illness at autopsy. The women,
aged 78 to 101 when they died, had lived at the same convent for most
of their lives.
The authors note that the study
could not determine whether low levels of folate actually cause Alzheimer's.
And the findings do not provide any evidence that taking folic acid supplements
can prevent the disease or slow it down. It is possible that the women
had low blood levels of folate due to problems absorbing or metabolizing
the nutrient. The women all ate in the same kitchen and, presumably, had
similar intakes of folic acid.
American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition April 2000;71:993-998
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