A new study has found a strong link between vitamin B12 levels and chronic inflammation, a condition connected to many serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and brain-related diseases.
The research, published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, looked at how vitamin B12 affects inflammation markers in both humans and mice. It focused on two key indicators of inflammation: interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP).
While scientists have suspected that B12 might help reduce inflammation, the exact relationship has remained unclear—until now.
The researchers analyzed data from the PREDIMED clinical trial in Spain, which originally studied how the Mediterranean diet affects heart health. They compared vitamin B12 levels in the blood with the presence of inflammation markers and found a clear pattern:
Higher B12 levels were linked to lower inflammation.
Lower B12 levels were linked to higher inflammation.
This suggests that getting enough vitamin B12 might help prevent or manage chronic inflammation. Since inflammation plays a role in many long-term illnesses, this discovery could have major health benefits.
Vitamin B12 is already known to be essential for nerve function, red blood cell production, and brain health. People with low B12 levels can experience problems like:
- Nerve damage
- Memory and thinking difficulties
- Fatigue and weakness
Now, the discovery that B12 also influences inflammation could help explain other symptoms of B12 deficiency that were not fully understood before.
Scientists are now planning further research to answer key questions:
How does B12 fight inflammation?
Do men and women respond differently to B12 levels?
How do conditions like infections, obesity, and digestive disorders affect this link?
The study also raised interesting differences between humans and mice in how B12 affects aging and inflammation. Researchers hope that studying animals can help develop better strategies for preventing B12 deficiency in older adults.
This research highlights the importance of diet in managing inflammation and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. It suggests that maintaining healthy B12 levels—either through food or supplements—could be a simple way to improve overall health.
If you’re concerned about your B12 levels, consider eating more B12-rich foods such as:
Meat (beef, chicken, liver), Fish and seafood (salmon, tuna, clams), Eggs, Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt), and Fortified foods (some cereals and plant-based milk)
For people at risk of deficiency, like older adults, vegetarians, and those with digestive issues, B12 supplements may be necessary.
This study is a powerful reminder of how nutrition plays a role in our health. While more research is needed, it suggests that getting enough B12 might help keep inflammation in check, reducing the risk of serious diseases.
If you’re unsure whether you’re getting enough vitamin B12, talk to your doctor about testing your levels and finding the best way to maintain a healthy intake.
If you care about inflammation, please read studies about turmeric: nature’s golden answer to inflammation, and what to eat to reduce chronic Inflammation.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how a plant-based diet could help ease inflammation, and Vitamin D deficiency linked to increased inflammation.
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