Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B9 (folic acid/folate)
For the health condition: Dementia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin B9 (folic acid/folate) has been investigated for its role in cognitive health and dementia. Several observational studies have noted that low folate levels are associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Folate is essential for DNA synthesis and repair, methylation processes, and the reduction of homocysteine levels—an amino acid that, at elevated levels, is considered a risk factor for vascular disease and cognitive impairment.

However, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of folic acid supplementation in people with cognitive decline or dementia have produced mixed results. Some trials have found modest improvements in cognitive function with folic acid supplementation, especially when used in combination with other B vitamins (such as B6 and B12), but others have found no significant benefit. The Cochrane review (2018) concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of folic acid supplements for treating dementia or preventing cognitive decline in individuals without folate deficiency.

Current clinical guidelines do not recommend routine folic acid supplementation for dementia except in cases of documented folate deficiency. The use of folate for dementia is based on plausible biological mechanisms and some supporting epidemiological data, but robust evidence from intervention trials is lacking. Thus, while there is a scientific basis for exploration, current evidence for efficacy is limited.

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