Vitamin B12, Folate and Cognitive Function in Older Adults from Southern Brazil

Abstract

Objective – To investigate if any combination of serum vitamin B12 and folate is superior to the use of separate vitamins for identify risk of probable cognitive deficit in older adults from southern Brazil. Methods -We analyzed data from the second wave (2013/14) of a population- and household-based survey. A total of 590 older adults (≥ 60 years) were included. Cognitive function was identified by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The independent variables were serum levels of vitamin B12 and folate. The data were adjusted for age, education level, income, smoking status, alcohol intake, food intake, leisure-time physical activity, depression symptoms, chronic diseases, and body mass index. Results – High serum folate levels and their continuous increase were positively associated with cognition. The serum combination of vitamins most found in the study was the excess folate and normal for vitamin B12, but this combination was not associated with the cognitive function. Conclusion – The combination of folate and B12 is not high to any of them alone in associating with the probable or absence of cognitive deficit in older adults.