As our bodies age, so do our brains. Memory loss is a sign of an ageing brain. It can be infuriating to continually search for car keys, forget the name of an acquaintance halfway through a conversation, or walk into a room and forget why you’re there!
Minor memory losses affect almost all of us as we get older. They are easy to joke about. But repetitive forgetfulness is no laughing matter. It can be a sign of ‘mild cognitive impairment.’ Experts call this ‘MCI’.
MCI is linked with an increased rate of brain ‘shrinkage.’. Research has found that high blood levels of an amino acid called homocysteine also contribute to brain shrinkage. High homocysteine is linked with failing memory (cognitive decline) and an increased risk of dementia.
Dementia is caused by several brain diseases including Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. Symptoms include memory loss, communication problems and difficulties with reasoning and thinking. There is, as yet, no cure for dementia; it currently affects over 800,000 people across the UK. These numbers will rise dramatically over the next few decades. By 2020, it’s estimated that nearly 70 million people worldwide will be living with this condition.
“This is one of the greatest challenges of our time,” said Prime Minister David Cameron. The PM invited health ministers from G8 countries to a high-level Summit in London on 11th December to discuss shaping an effective international solution to dementia.
Combating Memory Loss
Research shows that vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid help to lower homocysteine levels which, in turn, can alleviate memory decline. In some cases, this may slow the progression of dementia. In fact, lowering homocysteine significantly slows brain shrinkage, especially in those areas of the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Homocysteine is a natural, digestive by-product of protein. B vitamins transform it into an antioxidant which helps maintain good health and boost immunity. However, if there are insufficient B vitamins in the body for this to take place, homocysteine levels rise. This can lead to damaged nerves and blood vessels, increased shrinking of the brain and a greatly increased risk of stroke and dementia.
“Dementia robs people of their lives,” says Dr Andrew McCaddon, one of the co-founders of Cobalz – a research team which helped develop Betrinac.
Betrinac is a food supplement providing an exclusive combination of nutrients aimed at lowering levels of homocysteine. As a direct result, it also helps to combat forgetfulness, and increases the brain’s ability to concentrate, focus and remain sharp and alert.
Dr McCaddon carried out pioneering research into memory loss, having first become interested in the role of B vitamin deficiency in the development of Alzheimer’s when he was a GP trainee. “During my psychiatry training, a 52-year-old man with early-onset Alzheimer’s came to see me,” recalls Dr McCaddon. “His wife told me that he was from a large family – but half of his close relatives had early onset dementia.
“This struck me as very unusual. Alzheimer’s isn’t usually of such early onset, nor does it have a tendency to run in families. Further investigations revealed that his B vitamin levels were extremely low. Several of his relatives also had marked vitamin B deficiency and suffered from early onset Alzheimer’s.”
This sparked Dr McCaddon’s groundbreaking work into the link between vitamin B deficiency and memory problems, as well as a possible link with Alzheimer’s Disease. “As part of my research, patients with memory problems were given B vitamins, together with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine or NAC,” said Dr McCaddon. NAC helps to combat oxidant stress or ‘rusting’ of the brain – another contributing factor to memory loss and increased risk of dementia.
“I found that patients who were given this unique combination of NAC, B vitamins and folic acid had significant memory improvement – results which were echoed when similar patients were studied in Sweden by my colleague Professor Bjorn Regland.”
“The results were so promising that Professor Regland and I carried out further research and development work. In 2013, we launched Betrinac, a patented combination of high dose vitamins B6, B12, folic acid and NAC. These work together to keep levels of homocysteine healthy, while also boosting brain performance and memory,” continued Dr McCaddon, who explained that folic acid and B vitamins help to maintain a healthy nervous system.
Although the discovery that B vitamins maintain and enhance memory has been greeted as a potential breakthrough in the treatment of patients with dementia, Dr McCaddon stresses that Betrinac isn’t only for those showing signs of this condition, or who are worried about developing it. “I believe most people over the age of 50 could benefit from taking Betrinac,” says Dr McCaddon.
“Normal homocysteine levels should be in the range of 5-9 micromol/L but, as we age, B vitamins become depleted, homocysteine levels rise and the body finds it increasingly difficult to obtain sufficient nutrients from food. Consequently, a high proportion of those in the 50+ age bracket will have a homocysteine level of at least 10 micromol/L.
“From research conducted at Oxford University, we now know that homocysteine levels greater than 10 micromol/L are associated with an increased rate of brain shrinkage and cognitive decline. By reducing oxidative stress and lowering blood levels of homocysteine, Betrinac is designed to help maintain brain performance and memory.”
Signs To Look Out For
- Repeated episodes of memory loss.
- Comments from close friends and family about memory loss.
- People telling you that you’ve already asked a question or provided an answer to their question.
- Concerned comments about your forgetfulness.
If any of these sound familiar, discuss your memory loss with your GP.
“Your GP should be your first port of call if your worried about your memory or feel your brain’s not working as it should,” advises Dr Andrew McCaddon.
“There are many potential causes for increased forgetfulness – and not only vitamin B deficiency. Thyroid problems, side-effects of medication, diabetes, liver and kidney problems, lack of oxygen (perhaps caused by sleep apnoea or even snoring) and dehydration are just a few of the possible reasons for memory loss. Many of these can be rectified relatively simply.”
Mind Food
- A healthy, balanced diet should help to keep the brain working at its optimum level.
- Folic acid is required for brain cell production but the body has no way of storing this important vitamin so ensure you’re getting your daily requirements by opting for fortified cereals and including broccoli, Brussel sprouts, spinach, peas, chickpeas and liver in your daily diet.
- Vitamin B6 is found in pork, chicken, turkey, fish, bread, oatmeal, rice, eggs, vegetables, soya beans, peanuts, milk, potatoes and some fortified breakfast cereals.
- The body can obtain Vitamin B12 from meat, salmon, fish, shellfish, poultry, dairy products, eggs and some fortified breakfast cereals.
- As dehydration can trigger memory loss, keep well-hydrated by drinking lots of water.
- Peppers (of all colours), asparagus and cucumber contain N-acetylcysteine or NAC, the natural product which works with B vitamins to balance the body’s homocysteine levels.
- The body has no way of storing B vitamins or folic acid and, as you get older, it becomes more difficult to obtain these vitamins from food. This is why some medical experts recommend that over-50s take a food supplement containing B vitamins and folic acid, such as Betrinac, which also includes NAC.
