The effects did not differ by sex or by age group .
Conclusions Evidence on the effects of supplementation of low concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate on haematological parameters in community-dwelling older people is inconclusive .
Background / objectives Low vitamin B12 and folate levels in community-dwelling older people are usually corrected with supplements .
However , the effect of this supplementation on haematological parameters in older persons is not known .
Short-term folate, vitamin B-12 or vitamin B-6 supplementation slightly affects memory performance but not mood in women of various ages.
Based on research demonstrating associations between folate , B-12 and B-6 vitamins and cognition and mood , we investigated the effects of short-term supplementation in 211 healthy younger , middle-aged and older women who took either 750 microg of folate , 15 microg of vitamin B-12 , 75 mg of vitamin B-6 or a placebo daily for 35 d. In addition , we examined associations between dietary intake of these vitamins and cognition and mood . Usual dietary intake status was estimated using a retrospective , self-report , quantified food frequency question naire . Participants completed alternate forms of st and ardized tests of cognitive processing re sources , memory , executive function , verbal ability and self-report mood measures before and after supplementation . Supplementation had a significant positive effect on some measures of memory performance only , and no effect on mood . Dietary intake status was associated with speed of processing , recall and recognition and verbal ability
The effects did not differ by sex or by age group .
Conclusions Evidence on the effects of supplementation of low concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate on haematological parameters in community-dwelling older people is inconclusive .
Background / objectives Low vitamin B12 and folate levels in community-dwelling older people are usually corrected with supplements .
However , the effect of this supplementation on haematological parameters in older persons is not known .