Impact of consumption of B-group vitamins on cognitive functions of women after menopause

Introduction: A folic acid and other B-group vitamins have a direct impact on proper functioning of the nervous system and cognitive functions.

Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to assess the consumption of the folic acid and B-group vitamins and to analyze the relation between these vitamins in a diet and results of the cognitive function of women after menopause.

Material and methods: The examined women came from south-east Poland and were at least 2 years after their last menstruation. The women’s age was 50-65 and they had an overall good state of health, at least an elementary education and FSH > 30 mlU/ml. The qualification stage included a MoCA test in order to exclude women with dementia. The cognitive function assessment was conducted with the CNS – Vital Signs diagnostic equipment (Polish version). The content of vitamins was determined through a 7-day observation of a diet with the DIETETYK computer application developed by the National Food and Nutrition Institute. The results were analyzed statistically.

Results: The results show that around half of the examined women had lower than average results in most of cognitive function tests. The most serious disorders concerned the processing speed and the least serious – verbal and eye memory. The diet of the examined women lacked B vitamins (not B12 vitamin) and folic acid. The best results in the reaction time were recorded among women who consumed B2 according to the norm.