According to a recent study published in the journal Neurology, higher B12 levels may protect against brain shrinkage in the elderly.

David Smith and Anna Vogiatzoglou of the University of Oxford in Britain led this study learning that people in the upper third of vitamin B12 levels were six times less likely to experience brain shrinkage than those in the lowest third.

The study involved 107 healthy people ages 61 to 87.

“Our study suggests, but does not prove, that by modifying our vitamin B12 status, we might be able to protect our brain and so possibly prevent cognitive decline,” said Smith.

“What we can say is that our results suggest that rather than maintaining one’s B12 at a level that is just above the cut-off for deficiency, it might be prudent to aim to keep it higher up the normal range.”

There are plenty of foods you can add to your diet that are a good source of vitamin B12, like milk, other dairy products, fish, meat and fortified breakfast cereals.

Vitamin B12 helps in the formation of red blood cells and is important for the maintenance of the central nervous system. Deficiencies in the vitamin can lead to anemia and neurological damage.

As has been true through all studies and medical data a balanced diet with hearty exercise will simply keep one healthier than a lifestyle lived without it. Vitamin supplementation is also a prudent course of action but should not be attempted without supervision; in some cases taking too much of one vitamin or supplement can be harmful to one’s health.

The best course of action is to seek out the advice of nutritionist/natural health adviser like myself,  Dr. Robert Galarowicz. Located in Bergen County New Jersey serving the surrounding areas like Passaic, Rockland and Orange County.