Nutrient Deficiency Linked to Cognitive Decline

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted July 10, 2022

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

As you get older, your health focus usually shifts to more about your brain.

Sure, your heart, joints, and blood sugar are all important. But without a healthy brain, you’ll lose everything… including your independence.

The reality is, losing your memory might be a bigger threat than you ever imagined. More and more people are getting Alzheimer’s every day.

And now, researchers have linked this nutrient deficiency to cognitive decline.

Here’s everything you need to know.

I’m talking about vitamin B9… or as most people know this vitamin by the name folate.

A recent study in the journal Evidence Based Mental Health found that seniors with low levels of folate were at increased risk of dementia and death… from any cause.

In fact, people with low folate were 68 percent more likely to be diagnosed with dementia and nearly three times more likely to die from any cause during the study period.

The researchers defined low folate as levels below 4.4 ng/ml.

Lacking certain nutrients is something you should pay more attention to as you age. See, many bodily processes slow down over time and moving nutrients from our food into our bodies is one of them.

Studies show that more than 20 percent of older folks are not getting enough folate, as well as a lot of other vitamins and minerals.

Folate has well-known functions in the brain that affects how nerve singles travel though the brain, which can have effects on thinking and memory.

Folate can also affect a molecule called homocysteine, which impacts many parts of the body, including brain health, DNA repair, and heart health. You can see how low folate can lead to an early death.

You can keep your brain in tip-top health by getting enough folate and following these suggestions as well.

• Get out and exercise every once and a while. Don’t try and by an Olympian, just get out and move your body a bit.
• Keep inflammation under control. Try berberine to keep inflammation in check and stay away from the oils that increase inflammation like corn, soy, and other vegetable oils.
• Herbs such as curcumin and bacopa work to decrease inflammation and act as powerful antioxidants.
• Creatine is an amino acid that is good for the brain and helps support energy production.
• Omega 3 fish oil is an essential fatty acid your brain needs to support its function and protect against oxidation.

P.S. A stunning study has shown that this simple factor could determine your dementia risk. Best of all? You can measure it at home. Find out what it is right here.

SOURCE:

BMJ. “Low Folate (Vitamin B9) May Be Linked to Heightened Dementia and Death Risks in Older People.” 3/15/2022. https://scitechdaily.com/low-folate-vitamin-b9-may-be-linked-to-heightened-dementia-and-death-risks-in-older-people/

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More By Dr. Scott Olson, ND