New research finds that “normal” vitamin B12 levels may not be enough to resist dementia.
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, studied 231 healthy elderly people (average 71 years old) who had no dementia or mild cognitive impairment.
Blood tests showed that their B12 levels averaged 414.8 pmol/L, while the recommended minimum level in the United States was only 148 pmol/L.
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According to the UCSF press release, participants with lower B12 levels found to have “slower cognitive and visual processing” when taking the test, which was associated with “subtle cognitive decline.”
As we age, the effect becomes more obvious.
New research finds that “normal” vitamin B12 levels may not be enough to resist dementia. (iStock)
Researchers found that people with lower levels also have more white matter lesions in their brains, which may be a warning sign of cognitive decline, dementia, or stroke.
The findings were published on February 10 in the Neurology Chronicle.
Based on these results, the researchers recommend updating the current B12 requirements.
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“Previous studies that defined healthy quantities B12 may have missed subtle functional manifestations at high or low levels that may affect people without causing obvious symptoms,” Will Institute of Neuroscience.
“Reexamine the lack of B12 to include definitions of functional biomarkers may lead to early intervention and prevention of cognitive decline.”
“Reexamine the lack of B12 to include definitions of functional biomarkers may lead to early intervention and prevention of cognitive decline.” (iStock)
The researchers did admit that the study included only older people who might have “specific vulnerability” to lower B12 levels.
However, these lower levels “may affect cognition to a greater extent than we previously thought and may affect a larger population than we realize.” She is at the UCSF Department of Neurology and at the University of Ottawa Microbiology and Immunology Department of Research and Medical Doctorate.
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She suggested in the release: “In addition to redefining B12 deficiency, clinicians should also consider supplemental levels in older patients with neurological symptoms.”
“Ultimately, we need to do more research into the potential biology of B12 deficiency, as this may be a preventable cause of cognitive decline.”
“Even today’s medical standards, even participants at B12 levels are considered ‘normal’, and will find obvious signs of neurological damage.”
The study supports the notion that “normal” vitamin B12 levels are “seriously insufficient” to protect the brain from age-related declines, says Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert. .
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“Even today’s medical standards, even participants at B12 levels showed obvious signs of neurological damage – slower processing, increased white matter super-intensity on MRI (a hallmark of small blood vessel disease) and increased tau protein ( Biomarkers of Neurodegeneration) It’s about it to say the least. This is about Fox News numbers.
Osborn says the minimum recommendations are not designed for optimal cognitive function or lifespan.
A neurosurgeon and lifespan expert recommends supplements for B complex vitamins, including B12, to ensure healthy homocysteine levels, an amino acid produced during protein metabolism. (iStock)
“Instead, they are based on population averages – an inherently flawed approach when today’s ‘ordinary’ people are metabolically unhealthy. This is another example of mainstream medicine lagging behind science.”
In Osborn’s clinic, he recommends supplementing with B-complex vitamins, including B12, to ensure healthy homocysteine levels, an amino acid produced during protein metabolism.
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“When homocysteine is elevated – the potential agent for low B12 – brain function decreases,” Osborne said.
Doctors did point out that the study was observational and that “correlation does not prove causality.”
“Even today’s medical standards, even participants at B12 levels are considered ‘normal’, and will find obvious signs of neurological damage.” (iStock)
“But do you really need a randomized controlled trial to tell you that optimizing good brain health for B12 intake is like waiting for research to confirm that eating vegetables is good for you,” Osborne said.
“The data is there. The science is clear.”
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Like researchers, Osborn calls for an update to the “normal” lab level.
“It’s time to start defining health at the best level, rather than ‘average’ in an increasingly patient population.
“No clear evidence was found to add B12 in patients without deficiency.”
Dr. Earnest Lee Murray Board Certified Neurologist At Jackson Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee, the study raises the question of redefining what levels constitute B12 deficiency.
“Previous research recommended supplementation of known vitamin B12 deficiency patients to alleviate cognitive problems; however, no clear evidence was found that B12 supplementation was beneficial in patients without deficiency,” Murray of the study was not involved in the study. The study told Fox News numbers.
Neurologists warn that taking “high doses” of vitamins.
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“Usually, high levels of vitamins, especially B12, don’t cause problems; however, this can happen,” Murray said.
“I recommend that older patients or at risk of cognitive decline have a test discussion with a doctor – not only vitamin B12 levels, but also target other markers that may suggest improper absorption of vitamin B12.”
