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Health March 2014

Aid for Age

B-12 Deficiency? Dementia May Be Coming On

By Tait Trussell

    Often, the decline in vitamin B-12 is the first sign of dementia and can lead to more serious illnesses, including Alzheimer's disease, the study noted.

    If, as a senior, you are even mildly deficient in vitamin B-12, you may be at greater risk for accelerated cognitive decline. This alarming warning comes from the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University.

    Dr. Martha Savaria Morris, an epidemiologist in the epidemiology program at HNRCA, along with her colleagues analyzed data from 549 men and women who were enrolled in another study, as well. The subjects had an average age of 75 at the start of the study.

    The study subjects were divided into five different groups based on their vitamin B-12 blood levels, according to Dr. Morris.

    It is well known that severe B-12 deficiency can increase dementia. The new study, however, found that even more seniors could be affected.

    Dr. Morris concluded "While we emphasize our study does not show causation, our associations raise the concern that some cognitive decline may be the result of inadequate vitamin B-12 in older adults, for whom maintaining normal blood levels can be a challenge."

    Its absorption from food can be an issue for many aging adults –  it is best to supplement with the bioactive type of vitamin B-12 known as methylcobalamin, taken in a sublingual [under the tongue] form (one to five mg per day) to preserve memory and cognitive function.

    Vitamin B-12, a family of compounds called cobalamins, is one of eight essential B-complex vitamins. Foods or dietary supplements might contain several types of cobalamins, but your body converts dietary B-12 into two active forms – methylcobalamin and 5-deoxyadenosyl cobalamin – and uses these forms to maintain your health. Getting enough 5-deoxyadenosyl cobalamin supports red blood cell production, while methylcobalamin contributes to other biological processes in your body, scientists say, putting it in technical language.

    Proteins, such as lean meats, poultry, and eggs are good sources of vitamin B-12. But because older folks may have a more difficult time getting sufficient Vitamin B-12 from food, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s dietary guidelines for Americans recommend that people over age 50 eat foods fortified with Vitamin B-12 or take B-12 supplements in their diets.

    The people in the study were “mostly Caucasian women who had earned at least a high school diploma.”

    The authors of the study said that future research “might include more diverse populations and explore whether Vitamin B-12 affects particular cognitive skills in a wider group.”

    Often, the decline in vitamin B-12 is the first sign of dementia and can lead to more serious illnesses, including Alzheimer's disease, the study noted. The Friedman School of Nutrition, Science and Policy at Tufts University is the only independent school of nutrition in the country.

     

    Tait Trussell is an old guy and fourth-generation professional journalist who writes extensively about aging issues among a myriad of diverse topics.

    Meet Tait