Positive Health Online

Abstract

KESS-GUYOT and COLLEAGUES, Unite de Recherche en Epidemiologie Nutritionnelle, U Institut National de la Santeacute et de la Recherche Meacutedicale, Universite Paris, Bobigny, France sought  to estimate the long-term effects of antioxidant nutrient supplementation on the cognitive performance of participants in the Supplementation in Vitamins and Mineral Antioxidants (SU.VI.MAX) study 6 years after the end of the trial.

Background

Antioxidant properties of some vitamins and trace elements may help to prevent cognitive decline.

Methodology

This study included 4447 French participants aged 45-60 y who were enrolled in the SU.VI.MAX study (1994-2002), which was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. From 1994 to 2002, participants received daily vitamin C (120 mg), beta-carotene (6 mg), vitamin E (30 mg), selenium (100 mug), and zinc (20 mg) in combination or as a placebo. In 2007-2009, the cognitive performance of participants was assessed with 4 neuropsychological tests (6 tasks). Principal components analysis (PCA) was performed to identify cognitive-function summary scores. Associations between antioxidant supplementation and cognitive functions, in the full sample and by subgroups, were estimated through ANOVA and expressed as mean differences and 95% CIs. Subgroup analyses were performed according to baseline characteristics.

Results

Subjects receiving active antioxidant supplementation had better episodic memory scores (mean difference: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.02, 1.20). PCA indicated 2 factors that were interpreted as showing verbal memory and executive functioning. Verbal memory was improved by antioxidant supplementation only in subjects who were nonsmokers or who had low serum vitamin C concentrations at baseline.

Conclusion

This study supports the role of an adequate antioxidant nutrient status in the preservation of verbal memory under certain conditions.

References

Kesse-Guyot E, Fezeu L, Jeandel C, Ferry M, Andreeva V, Amieva H, Hercberg S and Galan P. French adults' cognitive performance after daily supplementation with antioxidant vitamins and minerals at nutritional doses: a post hoc analysis of the Supplementation in Vitamins and Mineral Antioxidants (SU.VI.MAX) trial. Source American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 94 (3): 892-9. Sep 2011.

Comment

Due to the severe, indeed dire, prognostications regarding the effects of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in ageing populations, the above research demonstrating that adequate antioxidant nutrient status improved verbal memory and other cognitive functions cannot come at a more opportune time and help to point us in the direction of better mental health.