The Link Between Vitamin B12 and Inflammation: Exploring Effects on Chronic Diseases

2023-10-21 18:48:00

chronic, which is associated with several health problems, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders, shows a study published in September 2023 in the

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Vitamin B12 is essential. Its deficiency, which can lead to various complications, may be due to insufficient dietary intake, especially in vegetarians and vegans, or to ineffective absorption by the body.

Previous research has hinted at potential anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin B12.

To learn more, Rosa M. Lamuela-Raventós and Inés Domínguez López of the University of Barcelona and their colleagues examined the effects of blood vitamin B12 concentration on two markers of inflammation with high levels associated with to various inflammatory conditions and chronic diseases: interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP).

The study, conducted with 136 people with high cardiovascular risks, shows that in general, the higher the levels of vitamin B12, the lower these inflammatory markers.

This relationship could help to understand why certain unexplained symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, such as neurological disorders, occur, points out co-author Marta Kovatcheva.

The team now hopes to explore the link between vitamin B12 and inflammation, in the context of specific conditions of high inflammation, such as infection, obesity and irritable bowel syndrome.

Vitamin B12 is only found naturally in foods of animal origin: meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs and dairy products. However, the bioavailability of the vitamin varies depending on the food. Alternative sources include fermented foods, fortified foods, and vitamin supplements.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common with age, mainly due to a reduced capacity to absorb the vitamin as well as the use of certain medications which can have an impact on the digestibility of B12 (e.g. eg the antidiabetic drug metformin). (B12 absorption: the most effective foods as you age)

For more information, see the links below.

Psychomedia with sources: Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, Society of Chemical Industry.
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