Workout Anytime
Greg Maurer
As we age our brains tend to shrink known as brain atrophy. This brain shrinkage is linked to declining brain function and impacts memory and concentration. Over time, lifestyle factors like alcohol intake, smoking, lack of exercise, and poor sleep habits can greatly accelerate this process.
Another factor involved in this process has to do with Homocysteine. Homocysteine is a common amino acid, and high levels are linked to heart disease, brain atrophy and damage to blood vessels.
This is where B-Vitamins come into play in a big way. Key B Vitamins including B-12, B-6, and folic acid can reduce homocysteine and come with other side benefits. It is best to take the entire B-Complex – not just isolated B-Vitamins because there is synergy between the different B Vitamins.
A study involving 168 (85 in active treatment group and 83 in the placebo group) showed the consumption B-Vitamin complex resulted in a 53% lower rate of brain atrophy in the treatment group compared to the placebo group! To get a sense of this visually check out this link that shows typical brain scans pre and post study showing the difference in brain atrophy between the two groups: https://www.elysiumhealth.com/en-us/matter/oxford-study
The B-Vitamin supplement used include B-6, Folic Acid, and B-12 along with a proprietary Omega-3 fatty acidd complex and Bilberry Extract and is sold at “Matter”.
Bioavailable B-Vitamins
The most bioavailable forms of B-Vitamins are important for many people because many people do not convert common forms of B-Vitamins to their active form. An example is folic acid – a significant number of people have a genetic mutation that significantly inhibits their ability to convert folic acid to its active form called Methyl Folate for short. This type of genetic mutation is linked to depression, anxiety, colon cancer, leukemia, chronic pain and fatigue and blood clots, stroke and heart attacks!
The great news is that science has developed activated forms of B-Vitamin Supplements that bypass the inability to convert to active forms. Good products include:
Swanson Ultra Activated B-Complex
Natural Factors Active B-Complex
Jarrow B-Right