Vitamins and Nutrients Information
Vitamins for Alzheimer's and Dementia
Studies have shown that certain vitamins can reduce the risk of memory loss and cognitive decline. Below we examine the vitamins and supplements which have been found to have the most evidence.
Information on our Mind and Memory Supplement can be found here.
B Vitamins: B3, B6, B12, & Folic Acid(B9)
B Vitamins
B Vitamins have an important role in the human brain and nervous system. They are responsible for the creation and maintenance of cells in the brain.
Researchers at the University of Oxford and at the CDC found that individuals who took a B Vitamin supplement were less likely to develop Alzheimer's Disease than those who did not.
Learn More: B Vitamins
Vitamin E
Vitamin E
Researchers believe that Vitamin E can help with Alzheimer’s Disease because of its anti-oxidative properties.
Alzheimer's patients frequently have low levels of Vitamin E. One study found that patients taking Vitamin E showed a slower decline and were able to complete tasks that other individuals could not.
Learn More: Vitamin E
Bacopa monnieri
Bacopa monnieri
Bacopa inhibits and removes several harmful molecules from the brain, which are believed to be one of the major causes of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Researchers found that Bacopa had a beneficial effect on patients with Alzheimer's Disease and state that that Bacopa is “a promising agent in Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of cognitive impairment.”
Learn More: Bacopa monnieri
Salvia Officinalis (Sage)
Salvia Officinalis (Sage)
Salvia Officinalis has been shown to reduce inflammation and protect the brain from harmful cholinesterase, an enzyme that contributes to the brain damage seen in Alzheimer’s Disease.
Several studies have found that Salvia Officinalis leads to "significantly better cognitive function" and fewer cognitive issues.
Learn More: Salvia Officinalis
Vitamin D
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of the most important supplements because of the serious issues associated with deficiency and because approximately 95 percent of seniors are Vitamin D deficient.
Two studies examined 4,500 individuals over the age of 65. They both found that lower levels of Vitamin D were associated with worse mental performance.
Learn More: Vitamin D
Turmeric Curcumin
Turmeric Curcumin
Curcumin has been studied for its brain and memory benefits. Curcumin removes Amyloid-beta plaques, which are believed to be one of the major causes of Alzheimer's Disease.
Studies found that "curcumin will lead to a promising treatment for Alzheimer's disease" and that "people who took curcumin experienced significant improvements in their memory and attention abilities".
Learn More: Turmeric Curcumin
Omega 3-6-9
Omega 3-6-9
Omega 3-6-9s are an important type of nutrients required for healthy brain development. They have been shown to have numerous benefits to memory and cognition.
Studies have shown that individuals whom consume higher amounts of Omega 3-6-9 show "higher amounts of memory recall and learning" and are 41% less likely to develop dementia.
Learn More: Omega 3-6-9s
Recommendation
Diet and Supplementation:
The Alzheimer's Organization recommends that individuals over the age of 50 make a proactive effort to include these vitamins and nutrients in their diet. For information on our supplement Mind and Memory Support see our page here.
