6351 - B12 again

Another article about B12 and old people...

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New findings reveal that “normal” vitamin B12 levels might not be enough to shield the aging brain from harm.

A team at UCSF, studying 231 healthy adults with an average age of 71, found that those with lower—but technically standard—levels of vitamin B12 displayed slower processing speeds, more white matter damage in the brain, and cognitive weaknesses. Their B12 levels averaged 414.8 pmol/L, well above the U.S. minimum of 148 pmol/L, yet people in the lower range of “normal” showed measurable brain changes on MRI and performed worse in cognitive tests.

Researchers argue that current guidelines for B12 may be set too low, failing to account for subtle neurological impacts that don’t result in overt symptoms or anemia. They suggest doctors should consider B12 supplementation in older patients with neurological signs, even when blood levels are classified as normal. The study recommends redefining B12 deficiency by relying more on markers like biologically active B12, which may better reflect how much the body can use.

Given that B12 deficiency is preventable, this research calls for fresh evaluation of dietary needs—since the vitamin, found mainly in animal products and fortified foods, is crucial for long-term cognitive health.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Alexandra Beaudry-Richard et al, "Vitamin B12 Levels Association with Functional and Structural Biomarkers of Central Nervous System Injury in Older Adults", Annals of Neurology (2025)