Elderly adults who consume low amounts of niacin may be at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to research presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America.

Researchers from the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago conducted a study of 815 healthy adults age 65 and older living in a community setting. The participants filled out a food frequency questionnaire before the start of the study.

Consumption of niacin (vitamin B3) had a positive effect in preventing the development of Alzheimer's disease, according to the researchers. Participants in the top fifth of niacin intake (average intake of 22.4 mg) had 79 percent less risk of Alzheimer's disease than those in the bottom fifth (average intake of 12.6 mg).

A protective effect was also seen with supplements containing niacin but the relationship was less clear, possibly depending on the person's reasons for taking the supplements.

Other sources: Gerontological Society of America