The number of people with dementia is growing exponentially. Reason for researchers to look for ways to prevent the disease. The relatively unknown vitamin K may play a role.
Vitamin K is mainly found in green leafy vegetables, which are already known as super healthy. Think broccoli, spinach and kale. They are also an important source of vitamin C, folate, iron and potassium. You can also find vitamin K in meat, cheese and eggs.
This vitamin is said to protect against dementia. Previous studies have shown a link between a deficiency of vitamin K and Alzheimer’s disease. A new experiment in rats cautiously expands on this evidence.
Part of the group of rats studied was given vitamin K for 17 months, the other group was not. And the result was clear: the animals that received the vitamin scored better on all tests. They had fewer cognitive impairments and better memory and learning ability.
According to the researchers, it seems that vitamin K protects the brain against aging. How much of the vitamin do you need? About 70 micrograms per day. You will achieve that if you stick to the dietary guidelines, otherwise there are supplements available.