New research shows a link between vitamin B12 deficiency and chronic inflammation in the body, associated with serious health problems such as cardiovascular or neurological disorders.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency, which is mainly found in foods of animal origin (meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, etc.) can be the result of dietary insufficiency, particularly in vegetarians and vegans. or ineffective absorption into the body.
- “In general, the more vitamin B12 an individual has, the lower their inflammatory markers,” the study says. An inverse correlation therefore suggests that vitamin B12 deficiency can contribute to chronic inflammation, and thus promote the onset of cardiovascular diseases or neurological disorders.
- To reach this conclusion, the researchers examined the effects of vitamin B12 concentration on the levels of two key markers of inflammation in humans and mice: interleukin IL-6 and C-reactive protein.
Lacking vitamin B12, an essential nutrient for the proper functioning of the body, can have serious consequences on health. A new study today highlights a link between vitamin B12 deficiency and chronic inflammation, which is regularly associated with a whole series of problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
Vitamin B12 concentration determines the level of inflammation
As part of this work, published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, researchers used data from participants in Premimed, a large clinical trial conducted in Spain and designed to evaluate the effect of the Mediterranean diet on the prevention of cardiovascular risks. They examined the effects of vitamin B12 concentration on the levels of two key markers of inflammation in humans and mice: interleukin IL-6 and C-reactive protein.
“Our study reveals that in general, the more vitamin B12 an individual has, the lower their inflammatory markers are”explains Marta Kovatcheva, biomedicine researcher and co-author of the study, in a communicated. An inverse correlation therefore suggests that vitamin B12 deficiency can contribute to chronic inflammation, and thus promote the onset of cardiovascular diseases or neurological disorders. An observation which, according to the researcher, “could have important implications for disease prevention and management.”
Vitamin B12 supplementation to limit inflammation?
The team now hopes to explore the link between vitamin B12 and inflammation in the context where inflammatory markers are strongest – for example in people suffering from infection, obesity and irritable bowel syndrome. “We already know that vitamin B12 deficiency is not good for an individual and that dietary measures must be taken to correct it. It will be interesting to understand whether vitamin B12 supplementation can play a role in managing these diseases”concludes Rosa M. Lamuela-Raventós, professor of nutrition and co-author of the study.
