Scientists have termed folate deficiency in elderly people as alarming, saying that on the one hand, the risk of dementia can increase up to 68%, and on the other hand, the risk of premature death can increase three times.
This is the reason why vitamin B9 or folate deficiency is specially taken care of in developed countries and its supplements are given to them.
In this regard, American and Israeli scientists have jointly conducted a study that has been published in the Evidence-Based Mental Health Journal. It should be noted that folate is also a type of folic acid.
In this regard, medical details have been seen in the medical records of 27188 people between the ages of 60 and 75 years. All of these individuals had no symptoms of dementia at baseline.
Over time and ten years later, their blood folate levels continued to be noted. During this time, the scientists also monitored dementia and mortality in all individuals.
A total of 3418 women and men had a blood folate level of 4.4 nanograms per milliliter, which was very low. Those with the lowest folate levels had a three-and-a-half percent increased risk of dementia and an 8 percent death rate.
But when diabetes, vitamin B12, cognitive decline, depression, and other factors were combined, it was found that folate deficiency increased the overall risk of dementia by 68%. Now, if these symptoms are combined together, the risk of death can increase up to three times.
In the same context, scientists have said that they must eat cabbage, green leafy vegetables, peas, beans, whole grains, cereals, avocado, and kale because these foods contain extraordinary amounts of folate.