A new study has revealed a strong link between low levels of vitamin B12 and chronic inflammation — a condition tied to serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and brain disorders. These findings could offer a new way to help prevent or manage such illnesses through proper nutrition.
The study, published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, was carried out by researchers in Spain. They focused on understanding how vitamin B12 affects inflammation in the body. To do this, they looked at two key markers that doctors often use to measure inflammation: interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP).
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient your body needs to function properly. It plays an important role in brain health, nerve function, and the production of red blood cells. People can become deficient in vitamin B12 if they don’t eat enough animal-based foods, which is often the case for vegetarians and vegans.
Others may have trouble absorbing it properly due to age or medical conditions. A lack of this vitamin can lead to symptoms like fatigue, numbness, memory problems, and even more serious nerve and brain issues.
While past research suggested that vitamin B12 might help reduce inflammation, this new study gives clearer evidence to support that idea.
The scientists used data from a group of participants in a large health study in Spain known as PREDIMED. This study was originally designed to see how the Mediterranean diet could help prevent heart disease. By looking at blood samples from the participants, researchers were able to compare vitamin B12 levels with the levels of IL-6 and CRP in their blood.
What they found was an inverse relationship — meaning that the higher a person’s vitamin B12 levels were, the lower their levels of IL-6 and CRP tended to be. In simpler terms, more B12 was linked to less inflammation.
Even though the study didn’t focus specifically on people with a diagnosed B12 deficiency, the results raise important questions. Could low B12 levels be one of the reasons some people experience vague health issues like fatigue or nerve pain? Could adding more B12 to the diet help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of disease?
To explore this further, the researchers also ran tests on aging mice. Just like in humans, they found that mice with more vitamin B12 had lower signs of inflammation. This points to the possibility that keeping B12 levels healthy as we age might help prevent some age-related diseases.
The researchers now plan to study these effects more deeply. They want to look at whether sex differences, aging, infections, or even gut problems like irritable bowel syndrome might affect how vitamin B12 works in the body. They’re also interested in finding out whether people with clear B12 deficiencies respond even more strongly to vitamin B12 supplements.
In the future, this research could lead to new ways to help people with chronic inflammation by simply making sure they get enough vitamin B12 — either through food or supplements. For now, it’s a reminder of how important this vitamin is, especially for older adults or anyone with a limited diet.
If you’re concerned about inflammation or think you might have low vitamin B12, it’s best to talk to your doctor. They can check your levels and recommend safe ways to increase your intake if needed. Meanwhile, keeping a balanced diet with foods rich in B12 — such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy — can support both your body and your brain.
If you care about health, please read studies that vitamin D can help reduce inflammation, and vitamin K could lower your heart disease risk by a third.
For more health information, please see recent studies about new way to halt excessive inflammation, and results showing foods that could cause inflammation.
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