Beta carotene may slow memory loss

Men who take beta carotene supplements for 15 years or longer, may have less cognitive decline, according to a report in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.

Decreases in cognitive ability – thinking, learning and memory skills – strongly predict dementia.

Long-term cellular damage from ‘oxidative stress’ may be a major factor in cognitive decline. Some evidence suggests that anti-oxidant supplements may help preserve cognition, although previous studies have been inconclusive, the authors note.

While the focus of this study was on the intake of beta carotene through supplements, the component is found in its natural form in many vegetables. Vegetables with the highest content of natural beta carotene are carrots, red peppers, red and green leaf lettuce, kale, spinach, watercress, pumpkin, and sweet potato.

“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”, the authors write.

Beta carotene is not without risks. For example, it may increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers, the authors note.

However, its benefits against dementia surpassed those of other medications tested in healthy older people.