Vitamin B12 is well known as an important nutrient that helps our bodies make red blood cells and keep our nerves healthy.
But a new study from Cornell University suggests that B12 may do much more than we thought. The researchers found that this vitamin may play a big role in how our muscles work, how we use energy, and even how we age.
The study was published in the Journal of Nutrition. It was led by Dr. Martha Field, a nutrition scientist at Cornell. Her team looked deeper into what happens inside the body when someone does not get enough B12. They used mice and cells in the lab to study the effects. What they discovered could change the way we think about B12 and health.
One of the most surprising results was that low levels of B12 made it harder for muscle cells to make energy. This is important because muscles need a lot of energy to work properly. The researchers saw that older mice with B12 deficiency had weaker muscles and lower muscle mass. When the mice were given B12 supplements, their muscles improved.
This is the first time scientists have clearly shown that B12 affects how muscle cells produce energy in their mitochondria—the parts of cells that act like power plants. This could be important for understanding how aging affects muscles and strength. It may also help explain why some older people feel weak even if they are not very sick.
The research team also found that B12 interacts with many important systems in the body. These include fat metabolism, how cells respond to stress, and how our genes are controlled.
B12 seems to act like a control switch that helps keep these systems working well. When there isn’t enough B12, it can cause problems even before typical deficiency symptoms show up, like tiredness, nerve issues, or memory loss.
Another key point is that many people may not get enough B12, even if they don’t have a serious deficiency. This is especially true for older adults, people who eat little or no meat, and those with digestive problems.
Some estimates suggest that one in four older adults in richer countries may have low B12 levels. This study suggests that even small shortages of B12 can hurt health over time.
Instead of waiting for major symptoms, doctors might want to look at new ways to check B12 status earlier. The researchers say that new tools using B12-related markers in the blood might help guide better nutrition plans.
This could lead to a more personalized approach to vitamins, where people get advice based on their own health, age, and lifestyle.
However, the findings so far come from lab studies and research in animals. Dr. Field says more research is needed in humans to be sure how B12 works in real-life situations. Her team is planning new studies to test their ideas in people.
Overall, this study opens up new ways of thinking about a common vitamin. It shows that B12 may be important not just for avoiding disease, but also for staying strong, healthy, and active as we age.
If you care about muscle, please read studies about factors that can cause muscle weakness in older people, and scientists find a way to reverse high blood sugar and muscle loss.
For more health information, please see recent studies about an easy, cheap way to maintain muscles, and results showing these vegetables essential for your muscle strength.
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