Revealed within the journal Frontiers in Diet, a latest research of information from the Nationwide Well being and Diet Examination Survey (NHANES) reported that growing vitamin Okay could also be a viable technique for neuroprotection, significantly in ageing.
“These findings recommend that larger vitamin Okay consumption could doubtlessly mitigate neurodegenerative processes,” wrote the authors from China.
Neurodegeneration biomarkers
Neurofilaments are structural parts of neurons and are composed of three protein chains: neurofilament-light chain, heavy chain and medium chain.
Neurofilament-light chain (NfL) is a reliable biomarker for degenerative illnesses akin to dementia, which develop into extra prevalent with age.
Increased ranges of vitamin Okay, significantly menaquinone-4 within the mind, have been related to a diminished danger of dementia and cognitive impairment. The protecting results of vitamin Okay are considered on account of its roles in sphingolipid metabolism, anti-inflammatory properties and safety in opposition to oxidative stress.
Though each vitamin Okay and NfL are essential for neural well being, the connection between them has not been totally explored, nevertheless, it’s hypothesized that vitamin Okay, on account of its antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties, may affect the discharge of NfL.
Examine particulars
The research included 1,533 U.S. contributors with a median age of 46 years from the NHANES 2013-2014 cycle.
Utilizing dietary recall interviews, the researchers recognized a participant median dietary consumption of vitamin Okay of 81.6 micrograms a day (μg/d), which is beneath the beneficial satisfactory consumption (AI) of 90 μg/d for grownup females and 120 μg/d for males, in keeping with American dietary guidelines.
The scientists collected blood samples and used a extremely delicate immunoassay to research NfL ranges.
The outcomes confirmed an inverse affiliation between dietary vitamin Okay consumption and serum NfL, reaching a plateau at intakes of greater than 200 μg/d.
“The connection between dietary vitamin Okay consumption and serum NfL ranges was stronger within the inhabitants of middle-aged and older adults,” the authors wrote.
They steered that vitamin Okay’s neuroprotective results could contain selling neuron-protective proteins and supporting sphingolipid synthesis, each essential for neural cell well being, however famous that additional analysis is required provided that the research’s cross-sectional design restricted the power to ascertain causality.
Vitamin Okay and cognitive operate
Vitamin Okay can have helpful results on neuronal integrity and performance, neuroscientist and utilized microbiologist Dr. Miguel Toribio-Mateas informed to Nutraingredients.
“Vitamin Okay is primarily recognized for its function in blood clotting, however its involvement in mind well being has been gaining curiosity,” he stated.
“One of many key methods vitamin Okay impacts cognitive operate is thru its function within the synthesis of sphingolipids, that are important parts of mind cell membranes. This course of helps preserve cell integrity and facilitates environment friendly communication between neurons, which is essential for cognitive processes like studying and reminiscence.”
He defined that vitamin Okay may additionally assist cognitive operate by exhibiting antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties and modulating neurotransmitter pathways. He additionally pressured the significance of intestine well being, because the intestine microbiota synthesizes vitamin Okay.
“As we age, the physique’s potential to soak up and make the most of vitamin Okay could decline, subsequently making certain satisfactory vitamin Okay consumption could possibly be a useful technique to assist cognitive operate in older adults,” he added.
Supply: Frontiers in Diet
Quantity 11 – 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1396707
“Dietary vitamin Okay consumption is related to decreased neurofilament gentle chain amongst middle-aged and older adults from the NHANES.”
Authors: S. Lin et al.
