Long-term Beta Carotene Supplements for Less Cognitive Decline in Men

Filed in archive Alzheimer's Disease , Dietary Supplements and Vitamins , Functional Foods , Men's Health , Studies on November 14, 2007

According to a new report by a research team from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Harvard Medical School, men who take beta-carotene supplements for 15 years or longer may have less cognitive decline.




Beta-carotene is an antioxidant vitamin that is a member of the carotenoids - which are highly pigmented (red, orange, yellow), fat-soluble compounds naturally present in many fruits, grains, oil and vegetables (green plants, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, spinach, apricots, and green peppers).

[Alpha, beta, and gamma carotene are considered provitamins because they can be converted to active vitamin A.]

On the other hand, decreases in cognitive ability (thinking, learning and memory skills) are strong predictor of dementia. Or Alzheimer's disease?

[Long-term cellular damage from "oxidative stress" may be a major factor in cognitive decline. Some evidence suggests that antioxidant supplements may help preserve cognition, although previous studies have been inconclusive.]

According to authors of the said study:

"In this generally healthy population, the extent of protection conferred by long-term treatment appeared modest; nonetheless, studies have established that very modest differences in cognition, especially verbal memory, predict substantial differences in eventual risk of dementia; thus, the public health impact of long-term beta carotene use could be large.

Beta carotene is not without risks-for example, it may increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers. However, its benefits against dementia surpassed those of other medications tested in healthy older people.
Thus, the public health value of beta carotene supplementation merits careful evaluation.

Moreover, as these data support the possibility of successful interventions at early stages of brain aging in well-functioning subjects, investigations of additional agents that might also provide such neuroprotection should be initiated."

Take note, the findings need further scrutiny. Don't just go ahead and take beta-carotene supplements yourself!

Find more details from the JAMA and Archives Journal.