Lack of vitamin B12 and folic acid increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, which is because these B vitamins regulate blood levels of homocysteine that must be below a certain threshold. Apparently, men and women react differently to B vitamins and folic acid with regard to cognitive functions, according to a study that is published in Nutrients. The risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is also lower among younger people and among those who drink tea or coffee. Unfortunately, many older people lack these particular B vitamins because of poor diet habits, low stomach acid, or the use of various medical drugs.

- and it increases their risk of fatigue, sleep problems, dementia, and neurological diseases

According to a big Irish study, a large part of the population from aged 50 and older lack vitamin B12 and folic acid. This increases their risk of a number of chronic diseases and lack of cognitive skills because the vitamin deficiencies are not discovered and treated. Because older people can lack vitamin B12 and folic acid for a number of reasons, scientists suggest enriching staples. Dietary guidance and supplements are also useful strategies to be on the safe side.

- this may improve vegetarian diets in the future

We need vitamin B12 for blood formation, for the nervous system, and for our cognitive skills. Vitamin B12 is almost primarily found in animal sources. However, researchers from the University of Kent in England have just made an important discovery. They have observed how some plants such as cress can absorb the nutrient when cultivated in a certain way. With this knowledge, we can make vegetarian and vegan diets healthier and more complete in the future. Many vegetarians and vegans appear to be doing just fine on their green diets, but many are unaware that a vitamin B12 deficiency can be insidious, and it may take years before they experience obvious symptoms such as anemia, tiredness, poor memory, and other signs of a nervous system that is out of balance. It is therefore a good idea under all circumstances to take a vitamin B12 supplement, until some of these vitamin B12-containing vegetable solutions are available on the market.

Vitamin B12 is important for the development and function of our central nervous system. In the past decades, science has also found similarities between sclerosis and the neurological symptoms that occur in people who lack vitamin B12. In a new study that is published in Cell Reports, scientists have found the molecular relation between vitamin B12 and the function of supportive brain cells.