10/20/2026
Vitamin B12 & Brain Health
As we age, it's harder to absorb the B12 we need from food. A recent study showed that healthy older people who had lower levels of "active" B12 (B12 that can be used by cells in the body) showed signs of neurological and cognitive problems, even though these lower levels fell within the "normal" range. Also, their brain MRI scans revealed higher volume of white matter injury linked to cognitive decline and stroke risk. Researchers suggest lowering the threshold for B12 deficiency and that clinicians should consider recommending supplementation for older patients, even if their blood work is in the acceptable range.