Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is an essential micronutrient required in DNA synthesis and red blood cell maturation, among other metabolic functions. Its deficiency leads to a spectrum of disease. It is important to trace its absorption in order to understand how a person can become deficient.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, has many diverse functions in the human body. For this reason, its deficiency produces a spectrum of clinical manifestations. About 15 percent of adults above 65 years have subclinical deficiency, probably contributed to by the use of H2-receptor blockers for hyperacidity treatment, since these also reduce cobalamine levels.

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Managing Vitamin B12 Deficiency

How is Vitamin-B12 Related to Anemia?

Why is B12 Difficult to Absorb and Do Oral B12 Sprays Work?

How to Reduce Red Meat Intake Without Losing Valuable Nutrients

Latest Vitamin B12 News and Research

What happens if you significantly increase dietary folic acid intake?

Increased dietary folic acid intake may lead to adverse health effects, including inflammation and neurotoxicity, highlighting the need for optimal levels.

9 Apr 2025

Vegetarian diets may hinder healthy aging—unless diet quality is high

Older Chinese adults who followed vegetarian diets were less likely to reach age 80 in good health. However, this disadvantage disappeared for those consuming high-quality plant-based diets.

2 Apr 2025

Study reveals most plant-based milks don’t meet toddlers’ nutrient needs

Replacing cow’s milk with most plant-based drinks cuts key nutrients in young children’s diets unless products are fortified. Specially formulated soy drinks can maintain or even boost intakes of iron and iodine.

31 Mar 2025

Not all Chinese food is equal: study ranks cuisines by inflammatory potential

Researchers analyzed 980 dishes from eight major Chinese cuisines to evaluate their nutritional profiles and inflammatory potential using the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII).

31 Mar 2025

Is red meat good or bad for you? Study explains how amino acids shape the answer

Researchers at Texas Tech University reviewed how red meat proteins and amino acids affect human health, weighing both benefits and risks. Their findings highlight that while red meat provides vital nutrients, overconsumption and poor preparation methods can increase disease risk.

10 Mar 2025

Why do some people need supplements and others don’t? New review explains

New research in The New England Journal of Medicine reviews current knowledge on micronutrient requirements, deficiencies, and interventions. It highlights the need for targeted supplementation and calls for advanced research to better diagnose and treat hidden deficiencies.

9 Mar 2025

Study finds link between pregnancy mineral levels and lower blood pressure in midlife

Women with higher levels of essential minerals circulating in their blood during pregnancy, particularly copper and manganese, along with vitamin B12, had a lower risk of developing high blood pressure in middle age, about 20 years later, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2025.

6 Mar 2025

Does a vegetarian diet help or harm your brain? Here’s what the science reveals

A recent study in Nutrients examines the effects of vegetarian and vegan diets on neurological health, highlighting both benefits and potential nutrient deficiencies that impact cognitive function.

3 Mar 2025

"Normal" vitamin B12 levels may not prevent brain decline

Researchers identify associations between B12 levels currently accepted as normal and markers of neurological injury or impairment.

24 Feb 2025

Lower vitamin B12 levels could impact brain function in older adults

Meeting the minimum requirement for vitamin B12, needed to make DNA, red blood cells and nerve tissue, may not actually be enough – particularly if you are older. It may even put you at risk for cognitive impairment.

18 Feb 2025

Rethinking red meat: Are dietary guidelines missing the bigger picture?

Research highlights the critical role of red meat in providing essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and B12, particularly for vulnerable populations, while questioning the low-certainty evidence linking it to chronic diseases. It urges policymakers to balance health, environmental, and economic factors when considering dietary guidelines.

13 Feb 2025

Why Type 2 diabetes patients need more than just blood sugar monitoring

Nearly half of Type 2 diabetes patients suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, with vitamin D and magnesium being the most common, highlighting a critical gap in diabetes care.

28 Jan 2025

Can a carnivore diet meet all your nutrient needs?

Researchers explore the micronutrient composition and sufficiency of four versions of the carnivore diet as compared to national nutrient reference values.

5 Jan 2025

New method uses lactic acid bacteria to produce vitamin B2

Many vitamins are produced in chemical factories, often synthetically, but researchers at the Technical University of Denmark have succeeded in developing a natural and simple method for producing vitamin B2: by gently heating lactic acid bacteria.

11 Dec 2024

Can beef fit in a heart-healthy diet? Review provides new insights

A systematic review suggests unprocessed beef has minimal impact on cardiovascular health markers.

1 Dec 2024

Experts evaluate plant-based diets for kids, urging nutritional care and supplementation

Plant-based diets for children and adolescents may offer health benefits but pose risks of nutritional deficiencies, requiring careful planning and professional oversight.

18 Nov 2024

Social isolation linked to micronutrient deficiencies in older adults

Older adults in the UK who are socially isolated are more likely to have an insufficient intake of key micronutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin B6, increasing their risk of health problems, according to a new study led by UCL (University College London) researchers.

15 Oct 2024