Researchers at Trinity College Dublin commissioned to conduct a longitudinal study on aging examined the link between folate (known as vitamin B9) and vitamin B12 status and depressive symptoms in a group of older people over 50 years old. After following them for 4 years, they showed that folate deficiency was not linked to depression but, conversely, a vitamin B12 deficiency increased the risk of developing depressive symptoms by 51%.
An important finding because depression is a risk factor for functional decline and premature death. And all the more important for Irish scientists, since 80% of the country’s population is said to be deficient in vitamin B12.
Should foods be fortified with vitamin B12?
“Our results should prompt policy makers to introduce a policy of fortifying foods such as breakfast cereals with vitamin B12. It would be a simple way to help prevent depressive symptoms in the elderly” emphasizes Dr Eamon Laird, lead author of this study published in the British journal of nutrition.
Vitamin B12 is mainly found in foods of animal origin. A risk of deficiency therefore exists in people who follow a vegetarian diet but also in people who suffer from stomach diseases because the proper functioning of this organ is essential to properly assimilate the vitamin.
Source:
Low vitamin B12 but not folate is associated with incident depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults: a 4 year longitudinal study, British journal of nutrition, December 2021
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