This can cause a multitude of symptoms, including a cognitive decline.
It is important to know the difference and be able to detect both in your loved ones.
Unlike Alzheimer’s, a B12 deficiency can be reversed.
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Have you or a loved one experienced thesesigns of Alzheimersrecently?
Several studies have been conducted to establish the link between vitamin B12 and Alzheimers symptoms.
Some associate low B12 levels with both the symptoms of Alzheimers and actualatrophy (shrinkage) of the brain.
Other studies have attempted to prove that B12 supplements restored cognitive functioning to previous levels after supplementation.
Other cases are because of alcoholism or by a poor vegetarian diet that does not provide enough nutrients.
Another risk factor is increased age since B12 absorption can decline as people age.
Normal results are between 200-900 pg/mL (picograms per milliliter).
A desirable threshold for elderly adults is between 300 and 350 pg/mL.
Researchers estimate that as many as 1.5% to 15% of the population is deficient in B12 levels.
This is especially true of older adults, whose bodies absorb B12 less efficiently than others.
Treatment
Treatment of low levels of vitamin B12 is quite simple.
Your blood levels are then tested regularly and the vitamin dose is adjusted to the appropriate level.
Check with your physician to verify the amount of B12 is appropriate for you.
Does Supplementation Prevent Alzheimer’s?
It can also handle the other symptoms you may be experiencing such as fatigue and weakness.
While Alzheimers research continues, there currently are few effective long-term treatments and Alzheimers is not reversible.
A diagnosis of low B12 levels has the potential to be far more responsive to treatment than Alzheimers.
This may or may not be related to the supplement.
Small amounts of folic acid might help with memory loss, but it is not a guaranteed outcome.
Further studies need to be performed to determine its effectiveness.
What is known is that an excessive amount of folic acid can be dangerous in some people.
Alzheimer’s disease istreatedusing a combination of prescribed medicine and lifestyle changes.
These lifestyle changes involve working with a therapist to understand and confront a person’s difficulties with the disease.
In addition, they will engage in mentally-engaging exercises to strengthen memory and cognitive function.
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National Institutes of Health.Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B12.
Dauncey MJ.New insights into nutrition and cognitive neuroscience.Proc Nutr Soc.
Alzheimer’s & dementia: the journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
