Vitamin B12 and Brain Functioning

Posted by
Jennifer Murray
May 25, 2008

When I'm feeling a little down in the dumps, I usually take a vitamin B supplement since B vitamins are known to help with depression. Since I do have 2 or 3 cups of caffeinated coffee per day, it would not be surprising that I would be deficient in vitamin B since caffeine is one thing that destroys B vitamins in the body. In addition to all the many benefits of B vitamins, new research has found that taking a vitamin B12 supplement can help with memory. Researchers at the University of Oxford in the U.K. found those who are deficient in vitamin B12 experience a faster decline in memory over a 10-year span than those with higher levels of B12, and that supplementing with vitamin B12 can slow down mental decline by one-third.

Of course, it's always best to try and get what the body needs from food. Some good food sources of vitamin B12 include:

ground beef
beef and chicken livers
steamed clams
light tuna in water
cottage cheese
low-fat yogurt

The recommended daily dose of vitamin B12 is 2.4 mcg. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need a little more, 2.8 mcg.

The recent research is good news to those of us who are extremely forgetful. Since I seem to be having a bit of trouble remembering things lately without sticking a post-it note on my computer screen, maybe I will try taking a B12 supplement every day instead of waiting for a case of the blues to strike.

Sep 2, 2008 9:29 PM

Guest :

I was diagnosed with a B12 deficiency back in 2006, after going to the doctor for some very strange and unexplained short term memory loss. My memory loss was so bad, in fact, that one morning while leaving for work, I stood outside of my own front door without recognizing where I was. My memory would snap right back after a few seconds, but it was still very frightening. My doctor sent me for an MRI and it was determined that I had demyelation, but no one (not even my neurologist) was ever able to offer me an explanation or cause for the deficiency, since I was not also anemic. I was tested for Lupus and MS and when those tests also came back negative, I think my doctor suspected I was an alcoholic. Of course, anyone who knows me can vouch for the fact that I can't stand alcohol, but I think it was easier for him to just write me off, rather than to admit that he had no idea what else could be the cause. Now, no one will insure me, since the deficiency is of "Unknown Etiology". I still suffer from irritability, depression and debilitating fatigue, but can't afford to see a doctor. It may sound quite harmless, but make no mistake about it, this is a VERY SERIOUS illness!! Be very careful if your doctor ever diagnoses you with this and insist that the underlying cause not only be determined, but most importantly, be treated. B-12 therapy will only treat the symptoms, not the cause. Doctors these days seem all too content just to diagnose you with something, write a perscription, collect a co-pay and send you packing.

Jan 18, 2009 1:21 PM

Guest :

I am unable to get insurance as well for the same exact reason. Low B12 with unknown eitiology. I was too "sent packing" after the neurologist told me it was "within normal limits and with no anemia" and "it was no cause for concern" and "to eat more vegetables" (wrong!). I was also told to "stop worrying about my health" by my family doctor and that this was "nothing, probably just stress" and "very common". Now because the unlying cause was not determined, I can't get insuance, even though my last B12 test was on the high end.