Description: Spanish Study Shows Increased Vitamin B12 Could Lower Inflammation in Mice and Older Adults
Higher Vitamin B12 Linked to Lower Inflammation in Older Adults and Mice
A new study published in September 2023 suggests adequate vitamin B12 may help reduce chronic inflammation[1]. The research was conducted by scientists at the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona, Spain, involving human and animal subjects[1].
The study first examined 136 older adults in Barcelona who were overweight and had conditions putting them at high risk for heart disease[1]. The researchers measured blood levels of vitamin B12 and two key markers of inflammation – interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) [1].
They found that participants with higher vitamin B12 levels tended to have lower levels of both inflammatory proteins[1]. For every 1 ng/mL increase in B12, IL-6 decreased by 0.39 pg/mL, and CRP decreased by 0.34 mg/dL[1]. This inverse relationship between vitamin B12 status and inflammation was statistically significant even after adjusting for potential confounding factors[1].
To confirm this link between vitamin B12 and inflammation, the researchers performed a similar analysis in 18 aged mice in Barcelona[1]. Just as in the human subjects, mice with higher vitamin B12 had significantly lower IL-6[1].
The findings indicate vitamin B12 may have anti-inflammatory properties in humans and mice by modulating levels of inflammatory cytokines like IL-6[1].
There are several ways vitamin B12 could potentially dampen inflammation:
– B12 helps process homocysteine, which causes inflammation when elevated
– B12 may directly lower the production of inflammatory cytokines like IL-6
– B12 deficiency leads to high homocysteine, inducing more inflammation
While promising, more research is still needed to prove vitamin B12 reduces chronic inflammation definitively. Overall, this initial study suggests getting adequate vitamin B12 from foods like meat, eggs, and dairy may help control inflammation and promote health. However further studies are required to confirm the anti-inflammatory benefits of this essential vitamin[1].
## References[1] Domínguez-López, I., Kovatcheva, M., Casas, R., Toledo, E., Fitó, M., Ros, E., Estruch, R., Serrano, M., & Lamuela-Raventós, R. M. Higher circulating vitamin B12 is associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers in individuals at high cardiovascular risk and in naturally aged mice. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.12976