A new study suggests that having lower levels of vitamin B12 may be linked to higher levels of long-lasting inflammation in the body.
This matters because ongoing inflammation has been connected with many common health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some conditions that affect the brain.
The research was carried out by scientists in Spain and was published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. The team examined the relationship between vitamin B12 and two substances in the blood that can rise when the body is experiencing inflammation: interleukin-6, known as IL-6, and C-reactive protein, or CRP.
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that the body cannot make on its own. It helps the body produce healthy red blood cells, supports the nervous system, and is important for normal brain function.
Most people get vitamin B12 from animal foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Some plant-based foods are fortified with B12, but people following vegan or vegetarian diets may need to pay closer attention to their intake.
Low B12 can also occur even when a person eats enough of the vitamin. Older adults and people with certain stomach or intestinal problems may have difficulty absorbing it from food.
A shortage of vitamin B12 can cause tiredness, weakness, numbness or tingling, and problems with memory or concentration. If a serious deficiency continues for a long time, it can damage the nerves and lead to other health problems.
For the new research, the scientists used information from people taking part in PREDIMED, a large Spanish study originally designed to examine the Mediterranean diet and the prevention of heart disease. The researchers compared vitamin B12 levels in blood samples with levels of IL-6 and CRP.
They found a clear pattern. People with higher vitamin B12 levels tended to have lower levels of both inflammation markers, while lower B12 was associated with more inflammation.
This does not prove that low vitamin B12 directly causes chronic inflammation. Other differences between people could help explain the connection, and more research is needed before scientists can say that increasing B12 will reduce inflammation or prevent disease.
The researchers also studied aging mice to see whether a similar pattern appeared in animals. The results pointed in the same direction, with higher vitamin B12 levels linked to lower signs of inflammation.
The findings are especially interesting because inflammation often increases with age. Persistent low-level inflammation is thought to contribute to many diseases that become more common later in life, so researchers are interested in factors that might help keep it under control.
The team now wants to investigate the relationship more closely, including whether age, sex, infections, and digestive problems affect how vitamin B12 is linked to inflammation. Future studies could also examine people with confirmed B12 deficiency and test whether correcting the deficiency changes their inflammation levels.
For now, the study does not mean that everyone should start taking high-dose vitamin B12 supplements. People who are worried about deficiency can ask a doctor for a blood test and advice about whether changes to their diet or supplements are appropriate.
Still, the research adds to evidence that vitamin B12 does more than support blood and nerve health. Keeping enough of this important nutrient in the body may also be connected with healthier control of inflammation, although scientists still need to understand exactly how the relationship works.
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