B12 Levels Predict a Healthier Brain

A new study analyzing the vitamin B12¹ levels in elderly individuals (age 61-87) found that higher B12 levels were associated with more normal brain size.  On the other hand, those with the lowest levels of B12 had the most brain atrophy (six times more likely to have a problem). 

The study is not talking about B12 deficiency from the point of view of government standards or daily values, as those with the lowest B12 levels in this study were not actually deficient according to these standards.  However, if one’s brain is shrinking due to a “low normal” level of a vitamin, then most people would consider that a rather flagrant deficiency of a nutrient.

While supplements were not directly tested in this study to see if they could prevent or reverse the problem, the preliminary data suggests that extra B12 is a really good idea for brain health. 

Vitamin B12 is vital to nerve function, as determined by hundreds of studies.  Of course, I recommend supplementation with the co-enzyme forms of B12 such as methylcobalamin and never with the cyanide producing form known as cyanocobalamin (as used by cheap makers of dietary supplements.

Higher levels of the quality forms of vitamin B12 are in our Daily Energy Multiple Vitamin, Super B Complex, and Blood Builder.