A Lack of B-vitamins May Lead to Memory Decline

We have known for decades that the B vitamins, especially B12, folic acid, and B6, are absolutely essential for normal nerve transmission and combating stress.  A new study shows that a lack of B vitamins¹ causes an imbalanced malfunction of a key regulatory enzyme that induces your brain to make excessive amounts of plaque brain tangles – the hallmark of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s.

New science is painting a rather clear picture that Alzheimer’s is induced as a result of a variety of situations of imbalance.  Research is showing that you can’t just go after beta-amyloid plaque because the processes that produce are vital to nerve health.  Thus, a key theme of emerging research is preventing the imbalances that lead to excessive plaque formation.

As it turns out, lacking B vitamins creates just such an imbalance.  An enzyme (PP2A) that prevents the excessive production of beta-amyloid plaque tangles does not work up to par when B vitamins are lacking.

Since cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s take place over many years of wear and tear, and since stress burns up B vitamins at a rapid pace, one key to preserving the health of your brain is to have enough B vitamins to sustain a positive mood and better energy as the years go by.