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   13 November 2014 Last updated at 07:59 ET    
      
   Dementia study questions advice on taking supplements   
   By Emma Wilkinson   
   Health reporter, BBC News   
      
   Conceptual computer artwork depicting neurology. From left to right: MRI brain   
   scans, 3D dsi white matter brain scan, brain, Alzheimer's brain versus normal   
   brain, MRI brain scan   
   Earlier studies linked low vitamin B12 and folic acid intake with poor memory,   
   scientists said   
   Continue reading the main story   
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   Taking vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements does not seem to cut the risk of   
   developing dementia in healthy people, say Dutch researchers.   
      
   In one of the largest studies to date, there was no difference in memory test   
   scores between those who had taken the supplements for two years and those who   
   were given a placebo.   
      
   The research was published in the journal Neurology.   
      
   Alzheimer's Research UK said longer trials were needed to be sure.   
      
   B vitamins have been linked to Alzheimer's for some years, and scientists know   
   that higher levels of a body chemical called homocysteine can raise the risk   
   of both strokes and dementia.   
      
   Vitamin B12 and folic acid are both known to lower levels of homocysteine.   
      
   No protective effect   
   That, along with studies linking low vitamin B12 and folic acid intake with   
   poor memory, had prompted scientists to view the supplements as a way to ward   
   off dementia.   
      
   Yet in the study of almost 3,000 people - with an average age of 74 - who took   
   400 micrograms of folic acid and 500 micrograms of vitamin B12 or a placebo   
   every day, researchers found no evidence of a protective effect.   
      
   All those taking part in the trial had high blood levels of homocysteine,   
   which did drop more in those taking the supplements.   
      
   But on four different tests of memory and thinking skills taken at the start   
   and end of the study, there was no beneficial effect of the supplements on   
   performance.   
      
   The researchers did note that the supplements might slightly slow the rate of   
   decline but concluded the small difference they detected could just have been   
   down to chance.   
      
   Study leader Dr Rosalie Dhonukshe-Rutten, from Wageningen University in the   
   Netherlands, said: "Since homocysteine levels can be lowered with folic acid   
   and vitamin B12 supplements, the hope has been that taking these vitamins   
   could also reduce the risk    
   of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease.   
      
   "While the homocysteine levels decreased by more in the group taking the B   
   vitamins than in the group taking the placebo, unfortunately there was no   
   difference between the two groups in the scores on the thinking and memory   
   tests."   
      
   The researchers stressed the research cannot be extrapolated to people who   
   already had cognitive problems and earlier research had suggested they may   
   benefit.   
      
   Healthy brain   
   Dr Eric Karran, director of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "This   
   large trial adds to previous evidence suggesting that while vitamin B   
   supplements can lower homocysteine levels, this does not translate into   
   improved memory and thinking in the    
   general older population."   
      
   But he said the trial did not look at people who were already experiencing   
   memory decline.   
      
   Longer follow-up periods would be needed to see if vitamin B12 or folic acid   
   could slow the severe memory decline associated with dementia, he said.   
      
   Dr Karran added: "Although this study casts doubt on the use of vitamin B or   
   folic acid supplements to aid memory, a balanced diet is a good way to keep   
   healthy at all ages.   
      
   "Evidence suggests that we can maintain a healthy brain for longer by keeping   
   a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, not smoking, staying active,   
   drinking in moderation and keeping blood pressure and cholesterol in check."   
      
   More on This Story   
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   World dementia cases 'set to treble' 04 DECEMBER 2013, HEALTH   
      
   http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30022534   
      
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