A new Alzheimer’s Research UK study gave evidence that low vitamin K diets can have dramatic effects on memory and thinking ability. Scientists found that mice deficient in vitamin K had significant deficits in learning and memory. In comparison, mice with sufficient levels of vitamin K did much better. The researchers found the importance of a healthy diet rich in vitamin K. This is particularly important for those with a strong family history of dementia.
David C. Hess, MD, Dean at the Medical College of Georgia, emphasized the significance of a specific cognitive assessment known as the “novel object recognition” test. This test is a great way to measure cognitive abilities by watching how animals react to new objects in their environment. Dr. Hess describes a clever mouse as one that will quickly examine an object it sees for the first time. He points out that this is pretty much the default test you’d want to run in the lab to test cognition.
In the study, scientists put middle-aged male and female mice on a vitamin K deficient diet. One group of mice stayed on a standard diet for six months. These findings revealed that male mice fed the low vitamin K diet had greater difficulty on cognitive tasks. They felt it in a cut in their overall survival. These results indicate that vitamin K deficiency may have drastic consequences for overall health and cognitive performance.
Ryan Hakimi, DO, MS, a neurointensivist who helped conduct the study, shared insights about the findings. This study highlights the important relationship between diet and cognitive function. The study certainly reiterates the need for healthy dietary choices for better cognitive health. Perhaps primary care physicians and those who treat cognitive dysfunction can reinforce with their patients the importance of a healthy diet rich in Vitamin K-containing foods, especially for those who have a family history of dementia,” Dr. Hakimi stated.
In the Morris water maze test, which assesses spatial learning and memory, mice on a low vitamin K diet took longer to locate a hidden underwater platform. These mice performed poorly within the first three days of testing. Their performance showed a shocking degree of cognitive deterioration, relative to their peers on a standard diet.
The dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, a brain area critically important to memory formation, promotes the growth of new neurons. In this region, both mice and humans continue to produce new neurons. This area of the brain suffers most during the initial stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers observed that lower levels of vitamin K may hinder the brain’s ability to produce new neurons in this critical area.
Dr. Hakimi noted that dark leafy veggies are a good source of vitamin K. He spotlighted fruits like kiwi and blueberries as well as eggs, soybeans and vegetable oils as excellent sources of this crucial nutrient. He highlighted the need for these foods to be integrated into everyone’s everyday diet in order to better promote cognitive health.
The implications of this study extend beyond animal models. It emphasizes the throwback time of urgent necessity for consumers to be more aware of their dietary intake of vitamin K. Primary care physicians can play a vital role by educating patients about the potential risks associated with vitamin K deficiency and encouraging dietary changes that may enhance cognitive function.
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