An Important Link Between Brain Health and B-12
I recently read an article in TriVita’s Vita Journal titled" Can a Supplement ease Alzheimer’s?" written by Dr. Scott Conrad Founder of Tiena Health. This article was of great importance to me as my mother was recently afflicted with this horrible disease as a result of a stroke. In Dr. Conrad’s article he wrote about the millions that have been affected in some way shape or form by this disease called Alzheimer. Caregivers, friends and family know how atrocious it is to watch someone with Alzheimer slowly lose their memory, increased confusion, along with the wearing down of the mind and body. It is the most heartbreaking pill in life to swallow. To be honest, I do not know if I will ever learn to accept what has happened to my mother.
Yet, in all this sadness, there is a twinkling of light at the end of the tunnel. Brain health and B-12 according to a recent 2008 study from the University of Oxford, England suggests a possible link between low levels of B-12 and the higher probability of increasing brain volume loss or better known as "brain erosion". The same study also suggested that those with a higher level of B-12 had a decreased probability in brain erosion. Since one of the results of Alzheimer is brain erosion this study has promising importance.
It is these very findings that spurred further research into the great benefits of B-12, that in fact B-12 may protect against the devastating disease Alzheimer. Researchers found that the erosion is linked directly to reduced mental function, which is obvious in Alzheimer patients.
This particular study in England took place over five years with 107 adults ages 61 to 87. The question posed "What is the link between vitamin B-12 and brain erosion?"
In order to answer this question, the researchers had the participants in the study following guidelines according to results published by the medical journal Neurology. The participants underwent annual blood tests, MRI’s, physical exams and memory tests. None of the subjects had any mental impairments when they began the study.
When the study ended all of the participants had B-12 levels in the normal range, on the other hand, the differences in brain volume between the normal low range and normal high range were quite noteworthy. Therefore the conclusion "People with lower levels of B-12 were six times more likely to have brain volume loss "brain erosion" than those with higher levels of B-12."
This article also pointed out the continual important as a society to take enough vitamin B-12 daily as deficiencies result in such symptoms as decreased mental and nerve functions and of course many more, too many to list. But I believe you get the jest.
Many health conscious people are already aware of the importance of certain key vitamins, yet for me personally, after reading this article what I found most beneficial was the new research brought forth that brain erosion can also be a direct result of lack of B-12. So take your B-12! I know I will…but be sure you get the right kind of B-12, and that is taken sublingual under the tongue for maximum benefits.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Research TriVita Vita Journal Dr.Scott Conrad Founder of Tiena Health
