Vitamin B12 is a necessary component of our diets. It is an important part of brain health, improving neurological functioning and energy levels. It also has an impact on metabolism. B12 is water soluble, and because of that, it is a very easy thing to incorporate it safely into our diets as a supplement. However, even with supplements, many elderly people have very low levels of B12, and this can lead to poor quality of life. Many senior citizens already have problems with mobility and energy, and if B12 levels are low, these can be made far worse.
It is natural to have B12 levels decline over time, and some demographics are at a higher risk for this than others, namely those with autism and schizophrenia. The people with these disorders tend to find that their B12 levels are at those of a normal person 50 years or so older than them. This can lead to a premature need for senior care in these populations. Things like in-home care can offset the costs here, but if this is not monitored, it can still potentially be far more expensive and stressful than it needs to be. There’s no guarantee that B12 can prevent senior care, but it is likely that it can reduce the odds of needing it soon, especially if blood tests are conducted early to make sure that people at risk, such as the elderly, are maintaining healthy levels. If avoiding senior care for a couple years is as easy as taking a daily vitamin, this is definitely something that you should be considering for your loved one.
One interesting idea to come out of recent research is the fact that B12 levels are often not easily identified with accuracy through blood tests. Researchers have looked at brain tissue of deceased individuals and have found that this is a far more accurate measure of how much B12 is in the system. And while living patients cannot have this measurement done, it does point at demographics that are at risk. By using this information to our advantage, we can take steps to ensure that even if blood tests aren’t pointing at a problem, we are being proactive and making sure that a problem never does develop.
It’s always a good idea to check with a physician before any sort of vitamin or supplement is started. Your elderly loved one’s doctor may recommend a B12 shot instead of a vitamin as this can boost levels instantly and help your mom or dad to start reaping the benefits of this vitamin right away. Again, your loved one’s doctor will be the best judge of what you should do.
One other side benefit of this study is that it points to a reason why people with autism and schizophrenia may experience physical and neurological symptoms as they age. In these cases, B12 supplements might not be enough to fix issues, but it could be a start. More research is needed here if better treatments are to be developed.
Leave a Reply