Vitamin B12 Deficiency Linked to Brain Shrinkage

A new study has drawn a link between a decline in brain function and a deficiency in Vitamin B12, especially in older adults. The study done on subjects aged 65 and older found that if there isn’t enough Vitamin B12 in the body, the brain begins to shrink. It also found that the deficiency was also affected by certain habits, including too much alcohol consumption. In addition anemia and digestive disorders can also block the body’s ability to absorb the nutrient.

So while you can get Vitamin B12 from fish, meat, dairy products, protein rich foods, as well as various cereals and supplements if you drink excessively or have a digestive disorder, your body may not be absorbing the Vitamin like it should and your brain may be paying for it ultimately.

Scientists have found that the Vitamin plays an important role in cognition, since it feeds the neurons in the brain. They discovered that Vitamin deficient subjects had smaller brain volume and had lower cognitive scores. 

Doctors are suggesting that people begin taking more B12 supplements in order to prevent loss of brain function and to avoid developing cognitive impairment.