Folic Acid Supplementation and Dementia

One study assessed the effect of folic acid supplements on cognitive performance in 818 older adults with deficient blood levels of folate. Low folate levels are associated with poor cognitive performance in the general population.

Participants were randomly assigned to take 800 mcg of folic acid or a placebo for three years. The study, published in January 2007, showed cognitive function was significantly better in those who took folic acid supplements than in those who did not.

However, again, the participants in this study were already at some risk of cognitive decline because of deficient blood levels of folate, so the results of this study cannot be generalized to all older adults or to those with Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia.

A 2008 review of eight randomized, controlled trials found that the use of folic acid supplements has no benefit on cognitive function in healthy adults or in those with mild to moderate cognitive decline or dementia.

As of this writing, no conclusive evidence indicates that folic acid supplements improve cognitive function in older adults or in people with Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia.

So, although it doesn't appear that everyone worried about dementia should take a folic acid supplement, it may be something worth discussing with your physician. Remember that if you live in the United States, many foods, including breads and cereals, are fortified with folic acid. If you are at high risk of developing dementia or have already experienced some cognitive decline, checking your folic acid levels may be reasonable.