Could Your 'Normal' Vitamin Levels Be Hurting Your Brain?

New research suggests that what's considered a 'normal' level of vitamin B12 might not be enough to protect against dementia. Like, who decided what 'normal' is anyway?

A study from the University of California San Francisco, involving 231 older adults (average age 71) without dementia or cognitive issues, revealed some interesting findings.

These participants had an average B12 level of 414.8 pmol/L, while the U.S. recommends a minimum of just 148 pmol/L. Seems like a pretty big difference, right?

Participants with lower B12 levels showed slower cognitive and visual processing speeds during tests, which is linked to subtle cognitive decline. And, surprise, surprise, this effect was more pronounced with age.

The study, published in the Annals of Neurology on February 10, also found that those with lower B12 had more lesions in the white matter of their brains, which can be a warning sign for cognitive decline, dementia, or even stroke.

Senior author Dr. Ari J. Green suggests revisiting the definition of B12 deficiency to include functional biomarkers, potentially leading to earlier intervention and prevention of cognitive decline. Makes sense to me!

Co-first author Alexandra Beaudry-Richard believes these lower levels could impact cognition more than previously thought, affecting a larger proportion of the population.

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon, agrees that current 'normal' B12 levels are 'grossly inadequate' for protecting the brain. He points out that even participants with 'normal' levels showed signs of neurological impairment. Scary stuff.

Dr. Osborn recommends B-complex vitamins, including B12, to maintain healthy homocysteine levels, which are important for brain function.

Dr. Earnest Lee Murray, a neurologist in Tennessee, cautions against mega-doses of vitamins, advising patients to discuss testing with their physician, especially if they're older or at risk of cognitive decline.

So, what's the takeaway? Maybe it's time to rethink what we consider 'normal' when it comes to vitamin B12 and brain health. Just a thought.