There has been a paradigm shift in the way dementia is perceived globally in recent years. Previously, it was largely considered a natural consequence of aging, an unavoidable decline that accompanied advanced age.

However, breakthroughs in the latter half of the 20th century shed light on dementia as a pathological condition.

This revelation led to the understanding that dementia, akin to other diseases, is subject to treatment and, potentially, a cure.

Nevertheless, finding effective treatments has proven to be an uphill battle.

While numbers are not set in stone, it is suggested by experts that over 7 million individuals aged 65 and above were living with dementia in 2020.

Given the ongoing trends in population and health, the number of Americans with dementia could rise to over 9 million by 2030 and approach 12 million by 2040.

Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia, has long been a major cause of mortality in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this debilitating brain disorder claimed more than 134,000 lives in 2020.

Ranked as the sixth-leading cause of death in America in 2019, Alzheimer’s moved to the seventh position in 2020 despite an 8.7% spike in the death rate, which escalated from 29.8 to 32.4 per 100,000 population.

Recent data implies an alarming future, with projections that one-third of individuals born today will eventually suffer from dementia.

Meanwhile, the scientific community is not only seeking treatments for dementia but also striving to pinpoint factors that may heighten or reduce the risk of developing the condition.

A study featured in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) suggests a correlation between low levels of folate in the blood and an elevated risk of dementia.

Folate, or vitamin B9, is essential for the formation of healthy red blood cells and for minimizing the risk of birth defects.

The journal Evidence-Based Mental Health published research which proposed that “concentrations of folate may function as a biomarker used to identify those at risk of dementia and mortality.”

However, the authors emphasized the necessity for more research to delve into the connection between folate deficiency and dementia.

Folate deficiency can culminate in a condition known as folate deficiency anemia, with symptoms including a diminished sense of taste, diarrhea, numbness and tingling in extremities, muscle weakness, depression, and other symptoms associated with anemia.

Folate deficiency bears similarities to vitamin B12 anemia, which is also called vitamin B12 deficiency.

The experts recommend consulting a physician if experiencing symptoms suggestive of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anemia.

Swift diagnosis of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency is imperative to avoid grave complications such as infertility, heart disease, cancer, childbirth complications, neural tube defects, and folic acid issues. Although some of these complications can be mitigated – for instance, infertility can often be reversed with folate supplements – others can have lasting or irreversible effects.

Research indicates that a deficiency in folate can heighten an individual’s susceptibility to cancer and heart disease, which can be fatal if not appropriately managed.

Dietary modifications are among the most effective means of addressing folate deficiency. Consuming foods rich in folate, such as broccoli, asparagus, and brown rice, can be beneficial.

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