Chronic inflammation is a hidden problem that plays a role in many serious diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and disorders that affect the brain as we age.
Unlike short-term inflammation, which helps the body heal from injury or infection, chronic inflammation can quietly damage tissues over many years. Scientists have long searched for simple ways to reduce this harmful process, and new research suggests that a common vitamin may be part of the answer.
A recent study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture has found a strong link between vitamin B12 levels and chronic inflammation.
The research helps explain how this essential nutrient may influence the body’s inflammatory response and, in doing so, affect long-term health. The findings add to growing evidence that nutrition plays a powerful role in preventing disease.
Vitamin B12 is vital for many basic functions in the body. It helps keep nerves healthy, supports the production of DNA, and allows the body to make red blood cells that carry oxygen.
Without enough vitamin B12, people can develop anemia, fatigue, nerve damage, memory problems, and serious neurological conditions. Despite its importance, vitamin B12 deficiency is fairly common.
Some people do not get enough vitamin B12 from their diet. This is especially true for vegetarians and vegans, because vitamin B12 is found mainly in animal-based foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
Others may eat enough B12 but have trouble absorbing it. This can happen as people age or due to digestive problems, certain medications, or medical conditions that affect the stomach and intestines.
Earlier research suggested that vitamin B12 might help reduce inflammation, but scientists did not fully understand how this worked. To explore this question in more detail, researchers in Spain studied the relationship between vitamin B12 and two well-known markers of inflammation in the blood.
These markers are interleukin-6, known as IL-6, and C-reactive protein, known as CRP. Doctors often measure these substances because high levels are linked to chronic diseases and poor health outcomes.
The research team used data from participants in PREDIMED, a large and long-running clinical study in Spain. PREDIMED focuses on how the Mediterranean diet affects heart health and disease prevention. Blood samples from participants were analyzed to measure vitamin B12 levels along with IL-6 and CRP levels.
The results were clear. People with higher levels of vitamin B12 tended to have lower levels of IL-6 and CRP. In other words, better vitamin B12 status was linked to less inflammation in the body. This inverse relationship suggests that vitamin B12 may help keep inflammatory processes under control.
The lead researchers, Rosa M. Lamuela-Raventós and Inés Domínguez López, emphasized that these findings could be important for preventing and managing chronic diseases. If vitamin B12 helps reduce inflammation, maintaining healthy levels of this nutrient could lower the risk of conditions driven by long-term inflammation.
The study did not stop with human data. The researchers also examined naturally aged mice and found similar patterns. Older mice with better vitamin B12 status showed lower signs of inflammation.
This is especially relevant because older adults are more likely to have both vitamin B12 deficiency and chronic inflammation. These findings suggest that maintaining adequate B12 levels may be particularly important as people age.
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to study more diverse groups of people to see if the same patterns appear across different ages and genders. They also want to explore how vitamin B12 levels interact with inflammation in situations such as infections, aging, obesity, and digestive disorders.
Another important question is whether vitamin B12 supplements could help reduce inflammation in people who already have chronic health conditions. Future studies will investigate whether supplementation could support treatment for problems linked to inflammation, including metabolic disorders and conditions affecting the gut.
This research highlights how something as simple as proper nutrition may have wide-reaching effects on health. While vitamin B12 is not a cure-all, ensuring adequate levels may be a practical and low-cost way to support the body’s natural defenses against inflammation.
Overall, the study strengthens the idea that diet and nutrients play a key role in long-term health. By understanding and addressing vitamin B12 deficiency, it may be possible to reduce inflammation, protect against disease, and support healthier aging for many people.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and vitamin D supplements strongly reduce cancer death.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about plant nutrient that could help reduce high blood pressure, and these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
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