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Key Takeaways

Sample Definition And Size

The study was a retrospective analysis of data from the VITACOG randomized controlled trial. It included 168 elderly individuals (aged ≥70 years) with mild cognitive impairment, randomly assigned to either a high-dose B vitamin supplementation group (n = 85) or a placebo group (n = 83) ([pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25877495/?utm_source=openai)).

Study Type

Randomized controlled trial (VITACOG), with retrospective exploratory analysis of interaction between baseline plasma long-chain ω‑3 fatty acid concentrations and B vitamin treatment effect on brain atrophy rates ([pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25877495/?utm_source=openai)).

Conflicts Of Interest

No conflicts of interest were declared in the available abstract or metadata ([pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25877495/?utm_source=openai)).

Results Summary

There was a significant interaction (P = 0.024) between B vitamin treatment and baseline plasma combined ω‑3 fatty acids (EPA + DHA) on brain atrophy rates. In participants with high baseline ω‑3 fatty acids (>590 µmol/L), B vitamin treatment slowed mean brain atrophy rate by 40% compared with placebo (P = 0.023). No significant effect was observed in participants with low baseline ω‑3 fatty acids (<390 µmol/L) ([pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25877495/?utm_source=openai)).

Abstract

No abstract available

Referenced In

15 Steps to Prevent Dementia

My great-grandma and grandma had dementia, which makes me worry about my parents (and my future self!).

And so, I was really pleased to discover that -- in many cases -- dementia can be prevented.

A recent Feel Better Live More podcast covered the topic.

Podcast guest Tommy Wood referenced this Lancet report, that suggests 45% of dementia cases globally can be prevented, or at least delayed. (Wood thinks this is a conservative estimate.)

Helpfully, the Lancet Report identifies 14 factors to avoid/overcome to reduce our risk of dementia. (I've put the list in the comments below!)

Wood also highlighted a second study -- the "VITACOG trials" (based on a large UK dataset).

Critically, this study identifies one additional strategy to prevent dementia -- that the Lancet Report completely leaves out (of their 14 factors).

Basically: eat sufficient amounts of vitamin B combined with omega-3 fish oils. This helps reduce brain athrophy.

So, to reduce dementia risk: avoid the 14 risk factors (see comments below), and eat vitamin B + omega-3.

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