Beta Carotene Supplements May Help Prevent Dementia

A study from researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Harvard Medical School, Boston shows that men who take beta carotene supplements for at least 15 years may have a reduced risk of cognitive decline which are indicators of developing dementia in the future.

One of the possible causes of cognitive decline is cellular damage from oxidative stress and some research has shown that taking supplements that are rich in antioxidants might be of some help in preserving cognition, but so far they have not been able to come to any firm conclusion on the matter.

The researchers focused on beta carotene and any possible effect it could have on cognitive ability. The participants in the study were 4,052 men who had been selected back in 1982 and had been put into one of two different groups. One group was given a placebo and the other 50 milligrams of beta carotene every other day. Then once in 1998 and once again in 2001, they added a total of another 1,904 men who were also split between the two groups. From then until 2003, the men answered questionnaires about their health and how well they were following instructions on taking their medications. They were contacted by phone to assess their level of cognitive function at least one time between the years of 1998 and 2002.

The average length of treatment was 18 years for those who were in the groups from the beginning and those who entered at the later dates for an average of just one year. Of the participants who entered the groups last, there were no signs of any difference between the two groups, but on the other hand, those who were in at the beginning, who were given the beta carotene turned out to have much better scores on the cognitive tests.

Before anyone goes out and stocks up on beta carotene supplements, they do come with some risk factors. It has been shown to possibly increases the risk of smokers to develop lung cancer. But in the older population, who are healthy, the benefits from the supplements in relation to the fight against dementia way out weighs the risks.

Even though this is a very extensive study, and shows a great deal of promise for beta carotene, there may be other factors that entered into the results. For instance, some of the participants might have other inherited factors that could be protecting them.

Source: American Medical Association (AMA) http://newswise.com/