In this article, we will discuss cognitive function and vitamin supplementation.
There are probably some people who are concerned about their cognitive function declining in the future.If this were not the case, there wouldn't be a boom in goods and books about brain training, would there?As if to take advantage of the concerns of such people, we see the health food industry claiming that a lack of vitamin 00 causes cognitive decline, and that we should take this supplement to prevent it.So, is there any evidence to support such claims? Here is a review that examines this question.
The studies
28 studies were reviewed, grouped according to the type of supplement used and its effect.Most of these trials were not designed to measure the effects on dementia or to study dementia itself, but only to use simple measures of cognition.Few studies have followed up on whether participants developed dementia or not.Finding an effect on the risk of dementia or cognitive decline would probably require a long-term study, but only 10 of these studies had an average follow-up of more than five years.It was difficult to follow all participants in the long-term studies, and this may have biased some of the long-term results, but the studies were generally well conducted.There were 14 trials on B vitamins (folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12), involving nearly 28,000 participants, mostly in their 60s and 70s.
Most of these trials had very short study periods. (Less than two years)
We found no evidence that B vitamins had any effect on cognition.
There were eight trials of antioxidant vitamins (beta-carotene/vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E), involving about 47,000 participants.
These trials tended to be longer than the B vitamin trials, which may have increased the likelihood of detecting effects on dementia and cognitive decline.
However, the results were mixed.
After taking beta-carotene for an average of 18 years and vitamin C for 5~10 years, they found low certainty evidence of improvement in overall cognitive function, but no effect at shorter treatment periods.In one study, there was also a small benefit to memory from a combination of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and antioxidants, but no other combination reported those benefits.There was no evidence of benefit from taking vitamin E alone.Two studies have looked at the risk of developing dementia.One found no effect of a combination of antioxidant vitamins, and the other looked at the effects of vitamin E alone or in combination with the mineral selenium, but found nothing.Most of the studies reported no information on adverse effects.One of the included trials was designed to look for effects on the risk of prostate cancer.It found a higher risk among men taking vitamin E.
There was a small trial of vitamin D supplementation, which found no effect on cognition, perhaps after 6 months of intake.
There were longer trials of vitamin D that included calcium (one trial), zinc and copper (one trial), and multivitamins (three trials).
All lasted five to ten years, but found no evidence of beneficial effects on cognition.
One trial found no effect of selenium intake for about 5 years on the risk of developing dementia.
Reviewer's conclusion
We found no good evidence to suggest that vitamin and mineral supplements can help middle-aged and older people maintain cognitive function or prevent dementia. There were some positive results associated with the long-term use of antioxidant vitamins, especially beta-carotene and vitamin C, although the effects were small. Further research on the effects of these vitamins may be worthwhile.
Rutjes AWS, Denton DA, Di Nisio M, Chong LY, Abraham RP, Al‐Assaf AS, Anderson JL, Malik MA, Vernooij RWM, Martínez G, Tabet N, McCleery J. Vitamin and mineral supplementation for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in mid and late life. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD011906. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011906.pub2.
Conclusion
The results suggest some small effects for the long-term use of antioxidant vitamin species, especially beta-carotene and vitamin C.However, it is important to note that the results are small, and the effects were not confirmed after a few months or a few years of continuous use, but rather after a longer period of use.What I mean by caution is the cost of continuing to take the product for such a long period of time and whether or not the product continues to be available. That's what I'm talking about.For those who are really struggling with cognitive function, some people may expect miraculous results, even though they say they have to be patient for a few years.
In reality, there is little hope of getting results from taking vitamin supplements, so I suggest that you calmly review your current living environment.When reviewing your current living environment, you don't need to think that everything is fine because of what you've done, but rather dig deep into your problems and write down what you think can be solved.
