Beta carotene and brain function, Alzheimer’s disease

How oxidation hurts brain and antioxidants may help?

Antioxidants like beta carotene (pro-vitamin A) have potential to inhibit processes harmful to brain and cognitive function potentially delaying Alzheimer’s disease . Oxidative reactions contribute to brain aging resulting in a declining function and beta carotene considered to be nutritional supplement as part of alternative medicine may inhibit the harmful process.

However thus far, beta carotene supplementation for enhancing health benefits has yielded mixed results at best. While enhancing immunity in children, the effect in cancer and heart disease has largely been disappointing. Such supplementation may also be deleterious in certain people.

Betacarotene supplements and cognitive decline

A recent Physician Health Study Group from the Harvard Medical school studied the effect of betacarotene on cognitive function. It demonstrated that beta carotene supplementation over long term retards the aging related cognitive decline. A global score on a battery of five cognitive tests was used as an outcome measure in this placebo-controlled study.

The authors found that men taking 50 mg beta-carotene every other day for an average of 18 years had better cognitive function as compared to the placebo. Verbal memory was also superior in the group taking these supplements. These results suggest that nutrition supplementation with antioxidants of betacarotene type would delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Although the study was conducted in men, it is likely although not certain that similar effects would be seen on cognition/brain in women also.

Given the conflicting data thus far, the jury is still out whether taking beta carotene supplements may be helpful for overall health. One verdict is probably clearer: best way to get this vitamin might be five servings of fruits and vegetables per day!

What do you think about the concept of taking nutritional supplements including anatioxidants and betacarotene? Do you or someone close to you take them on a beta carotene or any other supplements on a regular basis? Please share your thoughts.