A form of Vitamin B3 which is found in red meat, fish and potatoes may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. It may also boost the memory in healthy people as well as protect the brain from the terrible disease.

US researchers in California performed tests on mice with the results showing the animals had a lowered level of a protein linked to Alzheimer’s damage and the animals also performed better at memory tests!

Although this is fantastic news the UK Alzheimer’s charities have said people shouldn’t start taking the vitamin before human studies are done, a 6 month trial on humans will go ahead during 2009.

The vitamin, which is also called nicotinamide, is already sold in UK pharmacies and health food shops for as little as €5. The supplement will be given to 70 people diagnosed with the condition in the trial.

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Hat Tip: BBC