Vitamin B12 deficiency may increase the risk of depression.😣😣😣

Depression is the most common type of mental illness. It is characterized by continuous and long-term depression and is the most important type of mental illness in modern people. Recently, a longitudinal study in the Ireland found that vitamin B12 deficiency can increase the risk of depression. The study investigated the relationship between the levels of folic acid and vitamin B1 levels in the elderly and depression. Research results show that the low levels of vitamin B12 are related to depression symptoms, but the levels of folic acid are not significantly related to depression. The research results provide relevant information for the elderly and public health to better understand how to identify risks and take protective measures to improve health outcomes for people 50 years and older.

The levels of participant's vitamin B.

Low levels or deficiencies of vitamin B such as folic acid and vitamin B12 are common in the elderly. Studies have pointed out that one-eighth of the local elderly have low levels of vitamin B12. People of all ages have also reported that the dietary intake and blood concentration of vitamin B12 are low. Some of the negative consequences of low vitamin B12 levels may include impaired cognitive function, megaloblastic anemia or damage to the protective layer (myelin sheath) that surrounds the nerve fibers of the brain. It is important to understand the relationship between the low levels of folic acid or vitamin B12 and depression in later life. It is because depression is a risk factor for cognitive decline, hospitalization, and premature death. The study surveyed participants aged 50 years and older. The plasma folic acid and plasma vitamin B12 levels were measured and screened for depression. Researchers have observed that those with low levels of vitamin B12 are 51% more likely to develop depressive symptoms within 4 years.

Research result.

1. The study found that over a four-year period, low levels of vitamin B12 were associated with a significant increase in the risk of depressive symptoms, but no such association was observed with folic acid.
2. Researchers have observed that those with low levels of vitamin B12 are 51% more likely to develop depressive symptoms within 4 years.
3. These findings are still valid even after controlling for related adjustment factors such as physical activity, vitamin D levels, burden of chronic disease, cardiovascular disease and use of antidepressants.
4. Other factors that affect the nutritional status of the elderly include smoking, drug use, obesity, gender, financial ability and place of residence.
5. With age, the risk of depression decreases.
6. In the surveyed elderly population, the incidence of sudden depression is very high, and their level of vitamin B12 is very low.
7. These findings show that the level of these vitamins can be increased by improving the diet and may have potential benefits for preventing depression.

In view of the high incidence of depression among the elderly living in Ireland, especially after there is evidence that one in eight elderly people report a high level of vitamin B12 deficiency, this study is highly relevant. In Europe and the United Kingdom, there is a growing trend for governments to implement food policies to increase vitamin B intake. In particular, the practice of increasing folic acid in food in the United States has shown a positive effect. Among people aged 60 and above, the low levels or deficient folic acid is only 1.2%. Research results indicate that food fortification policies can provide a potential way to help prevent depression in the elderly and benefit overall health through foods such as breakfast cereals rich in vitamin B12 and folic acid. The main advantage of this study is that it is based on a large amount and representative sample of elderly people observed for more than four years. In addition, the researchers examined a group of well-characterized patients and incorporated a series of confounding factors, including lifestyle, chronic diseases, medications, and other nutritional blood biomarkers to reveal strong research results. In view of the increase in loneliness and depression in the elderly since the beginning of COVID-19 restrictions. The study emphasizes the importance of increasing vitamin B12 intake or supplement to help reduce potential risk factors for depression in the elderly.

For more detail, you can read this article.👇

Laird, E., O’Halloran, A., Molloy, A., Healy, M., Hernandez, B., O’Connor, D., . . . Briggs, R. (2021). Low vitamin B12 but not folate is associated with incident depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults: A 4 year longitudinal study. British Journal of Nutrition, 1-22. doi:10.1017/S0007114521004748