Vitamin B12 deficiency not only triggers anemia and weakness but also increases the risk of dementia and stroke. This conclusion was reached by specialists from the Chi Mei Hospital in China. The authors published the results of the study in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
Researchers analyzed data from over 258,000 individuals aged 50 and older. They compared the health status of participants with persistently low vitamin B12 levels—below 300 picograms per milliliter—in two consecutive blood tests against volunteers who had normal levels of this indicator. The observation period lasted ten years.
During this time, subjects with vitamin deficiency faced a 33% higher risk of developing dementia compared to the control group. This same group also had higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, mild cognitive impairments, and strokes. Among participants with severe vitamin B12 deficiency (below 200 picograms per milliliter), dementia was diagnosed 64% more often compared to those with normal levels of the substance in their bodies.
The study authors remind that vitamin B12 is essential for the optimal functioning of the nervous system. It plays a role in forming the protective sheath of nerve fibers, synthesizing DNA, and facilitating metabolism in brain cells. Its deficiency often leads to damage to nerve cells and blood vessels, increasing the risks of cognitive decline and vascular pathologies.
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