Folic acid and vitamin B12 are nutrients that are really important for our brains. Sometimes, older people have trouble with their memory and thinking, and inflammation might have something to do with it. In a recent study, scientists wanted to see if taking folic acid and vitamin B12, either by themselves or together, could help improve memory and reduce inflammation in older people with memory problems.

Scientists asked 240 older people with memory problems to join their study. They divided them into four groups and gave each group a different treatment: folic acid alone, vitamin B12 alone, folic acid plus vitamin B12, or nothing (just a pretend treatment). They did this every day for six months. They tested their memory using a special test. They also looked at the levels of inflammation in their blood. They used math to see if the treatments made any difference. They registered the study with a special number.

Results: The group that got folic acid and vitamin B12 had bigger improvements than the group that got nothing. Their blood showed better levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 and less inflammation. Their memory test scores also got better. When they compared the group with both folic acid and vitamin B12 to the group with just folic acid, they found that the combination was better for everything they tested.

Conclusions: Taking folic acid and vitamin B12 together for six months can help older people with memory problems. It makes their memory better and reduces inflammation in their blood. Taking folic acid and vitamin B12 for better thinking and memory is better than just taking one.

It is yet to be confirmed by more studies, but all humans should have a similar effect from taking Folic acid and vitamin B12.

References:

Ma F, Zhou X, Li Q, Zhao J, Song A, An P, Du Y, Xu W, Huang G. Effects of Folic Acid and Vitamin B12, Alone and in Combination on Cognitive Function and Inflammatory Factors in the Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Single-blind Experimental Design. Curr Alzheimer Res. 2019;16(7):622-632. doi: 10.2174/1567205016666190725144629. PMID: 31345146.