Health - Quick Study
COGNITION
THE QUESTION Might an antioxidant help men stay mentally sharp as they age?
THIS STUDY analyzed data on 5,956 men who had been randomly assigned to take 50 milligrams of beta carotene or a placebo every other day. Most took the supplements for an average of 18 years; just under a third took them for only one year. A battery of cognitive tests given at the end of the study, when the men were in their early 70s, revealed no benefits of short-term supplement use. However, men who had taken beta carotene for 15 years or more had better thinking, learning and memory skills than those who had taken the placebo -- an effect described as comparable to delaying aging by 1 to 1 1/2 years.
WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? Men. Most people's memory and mental functioning diminish some with age, but research has shown that keeping the brain active and stimulated and reducing cardiovascular problems can help prevent decline.
CAVEATS Cognitive data came from one testing, so no comparison of decline over the study period was possible. Studies have shown that beta carotene may increase the risk of lung cancer among smokers. The study was funded in part by BASF Corp., which provided the beta carotene, and Wyeth, which makes vitamin products that contain the antioxidant.
FIND THIS STUDY Nov. 12 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
LEARN MORE ABOUT memory loss with aging at http://www.familydoctor.org and http://www.nia.nih.gov (search for "forgetfulness"). By Linda Searing
The research described in Quick Study comes from credible, peer-reviewed journals. Nonetheless, conclusive evidence about a treatment's effectiveness is rarely found in a single study. Anyone considering changing or beginning treatment of any kind should consult a physician
© Copyright 2007 The Washington Post Company
