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.
CSIRO, Health Sciences and Nutrition, PO Box 10041, Adelaide BC 5000, South Australia. janet.bryan@csiro.au
J
J
Bryan
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E
Calvaresi
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