Memory Loss & Vitamin B12

Low levels of one vitamin might be one reason for memory loss as we get older.

We're talking about vitamin B12 and according to a new study, elderly folks with low levels of this vitamin also ended up having the smallest brains and the most memory problems.

This new study, just published in the Journal Neurology, looked at 121 people aged 65 and above. They tested their B12 levels, had them perform memory and brain function tests, and then did a brain scan. And since blood levels of B12 don't always match up with how much of this vitamin someone actually has, they also looked at what are known as B12 markers, called Methymalonate and Homocysteine in the blood. It was lower levels of these markers, which meant lower levels of B12 in the body, that also matched up with those people who had poorer memories on the tests and smaller brains on the scan.

This adds to previous studies where researchers found out that giving B vitamins, including B12, B6 and Folic Acid, to those over age 70 actually helped improve their memory during a two-year period.

So, although this new study was small, only 121 people, and researchers aren't yet ready to tell everyone to take more of this vitamin, it's always a good idea to eat foods rich in vitamin B12. Not only might they help keep your memory sharp, but they can also help protect against heart disease.