Study Links Low Active Vitamin B12 to Dementia Risk at 2.4-Microgram Intake
Updated
Updated · Women's Health · Aug 6
Study Links Low Active Vitamin B12 to Dementia Risk at 2.4-Microgram Intake
3 articles · Updated · Women's Health · Aug 6
Summary
Researchers reported that lower active vitamin B12 levels were tied to slower processing speed, weaker visual responses and more white-matter lesions linked to cognitive decline.
MRI and cognitive data from 231 healthy older adults suggested the effects were more pronounced with age, strengthening concerns about dementia risk even before overt deficiency appears.
The study said current guidance for most adults—2.4 micrograms a day—may be too low to protect brain health, though it did not propose a new target range.
Clinicians cited in the report said blood testing matters because people can fall within “normal” lab ranges yet still sit at the low end, with deficiency often flagged below 200 to 250 pg/mL.