Associations between dietary intake of folate and vitamins B-12 and B-6 and self-reported cognitive function and psychological well-being in Australian men and women in midlife.
OBJECTIVE
To assess dietary intake status of folate and vitamins B-12 and B-6 in 1183 middle-aged men and women, and to examine associations between dietary intake of these vitamins and self-reported cognitive function and psychological well-being.


METHODS
A population-based sample of urban and rural South Australians completed questionnaires assessing demographics, background, health, and self-reported cognitive and memory functioning and psychological well-being. Usual dietary intake status was estimated using a retrospective, self-report, quantified food frequency questionnaire.


RESULTS
About 20% of both men and women had intakes of folate that were below the Recommended Daily Intake for Australia. Vitamins B-12 and B-6 were positively related to memory functioning in men, and moderate dietary intake of folate and B-6 was associated with better memory functioning in women.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin B-12 and B-6 intakes may be positively related to the memory performance of middle-aged men and intakes at around the RDI are associated with better memory functioning for women. The investigation of the dose-response effects of B vitamin supplementation on cognition and mood in middle-aged men and women using objective measures of cognition and accounting for the influence of confounding factors such age and education would be informative.
Bryan
J
J
CSIRO, Health Sciences and Nutrition, PO Box 10041, Adelaide BC 5000, South Australia. janet.bryan@csiro.au
Calvaresi
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013021:South Australia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D025101:Vitamin B 6; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12