A new study from Spain has revealed a strong link between vitamin B12 levels and inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is known to play a major role in many health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and conditions that affect the brain, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
This research offers new hope that vitamin B12 could become an important tool for reducing inflammation and improving overall health.
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that your body needs to function properly. It helps with things like making red blood cells, keeping your nerves healthy, and supporting brain function.
However, not everyone gets enough of it—especially vegetarians, vegans, and older adults. Some people don’t absorb it well due to digestive issues or age. A lack of vitamin B12 can lead to fatigue, numbness, memory problems, and even long-term nerve damage if left untreated.
While earlier studies had suggested that vitamin B12 might reduce inflammation, the details of this relationship weren’t well understood.
To find out more, a team of researchers from Spain looked at how vitamin B12 levels affect two key inflammation markers in the body: interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Both IL-6 and CRP are often measured in blood tests to assess inflammation, and high levels are linked to a higher risk of serious diseases.
The researchers used data from the PREDIMED trial, a large study in Spain that looks at how the Mediterranean diet affects heart health. From this group, they selected participants whose vitamin B12 levels and inflammation markers could be analyzed. They also studied mice to see if the results were similar across species.
What they found was quite clear: people with higher levels of vitamin B12 had lower levels of IL-6 and CRP. This means that when the body has enough vitamin B12, it may be better at keeping inflammation in check. They found the same pattern in naturally aging mice, adding more strength to their results.
This discovery is important for several reasons. First, it supports the idea that vitamin B12 doesn’t just prevent deficiency symptoms—it might also help protect against inflammation-related diseases.
Second, it suggests that keeping vitamin B12 levels healthy could be a simple way to lower inflammation, especially in older people, those with chronic illness, or those at risk of heart problems.
While the study didn’t focus specifically on people with a diagnosed B12 deficiency, it raised new questions. Could low B12 levels be part of the reason why some people have unexplained inflammation or symptoms like tiredness and memory loss? And if so, could vitamin B12 supplements help?
The research team now plans to study this further. They want to look at larger groups, study men and women separately, and explore how B12 works in people with infections, obesity, or digestive disorders. They’re also interested in learning how aging affects B12 levels and inflammation, and what can be done to support better health in older adults.
Although more research is needed, these findings add to growing evidence that vitamin B12 may play a much bigger role in health than we once thought. If confirmed, B12 supplements could become a simple, affordable way to help manage inflammation and lower the risk of chronic disease.
For now, people can talk to their doctors about checking their B12 levels—especially if they’re older, follow a plant-based diet, or have symptoms like fatigue, numbness, or trouble thinking clearly. Making sure your body has enough vitamin B12 may be one of the easiest ways to protect your health from the inside out.
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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