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HealthWatch: Vitamin B12 For Good Brain Health

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Sep 9, 2008 7:06 pm US/Eastern

HealthWatch: Vitamin B12 For Good Brain Health

Study: Loss Of Volume Less Likely If You Take Nutrient

NEW YORK (CBS) ― Vitamin deficiencies become increasingly common as we age. Older people often have smaller appetites and may choose a more limited variety of foods. Now a new study says we should pay extra attention to one vitamin in particular for good brain health.

Vitamin B12 may protect the brains of the elderly.

According to research published in the week's journal "Neurology," the nutrient may prevent loss of volume of the brain.

The study checked blood samples of more than 100 men and women over age 61 that had no mental impairments.

Those with higher levels of B12 were six times less likely to experience brain shrinkage than those with lower levels

Those with higher levels of B12 were six times less likely to experience brain shrinkage than those who had lower levels of the vitamin.

"There are some neurological syndromes that are known to be associated with lack of B12 and that it really reflects the importance of having good nutrition," said Dr. David Langer, a neurosurgeon at Roosevelt Hospital.

Brain shrinkage has been associated with Alzheimer's disease and memory problems.

B12 is found primarily in animal products such as meat fish and milk. It's also available by injection for those on restrictive vegetarian diets.

"Older people have low acid in their stomach as they get older and they probably absorb B12 more poorly than younger people and that's thought to be associated with why older people have some of these neurological problems," Langer said.

The study is considered preliminary and doesn't mean you should go out and buy B12 tablets. But, it does emphasize the importance of a balanced diet and good nutrition.

Further research will be completed in 2009.

B12 isn't the only nutrient that's good for the brain. Folic acid found in leafy green vegetables has been shown to give memory a boost, as well as omega-3 fatty acids in fish, eggs and walnuts.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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