New Delhi, July 6 (IANS): Vitamin B12 plays a key role in producing brain chemicals that affect mood and other brain functions, doctors said on Saturday.
Vitamin B-12 (also known as cobalamin) plays an important role in red blood cell formation, cellular metabolism, nerve function, and DNA production.
Common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include abnormal sensations, numbness, or tingling in the hands, legs, or feet, difficulty walking (staggering, balance problems), anemia, difficulty thinking and reasoning (cognitive impairment), memory loss, weakness, or fatigue.
“Vitamin B12 and other B vitamins play an important role in producing brain chemicals that affect mood and other brain functions. Low levels of vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and other B vitamins like folate may be associated with depression,” Dr Anshu Rohtagi, senior consultant, neurology department, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told IANS.
“Deficiency can occur due to an unhealthy diet or difficulty absorbing the vitamin when ingested, so maintaining adequate vitamin B12 levels is essential for overall health, including mood regulation,” she added.
Vitamin B-12 is found primarily in poultry, meat, fish, and dairy products. It’s available as an oral supplement, injection, or nasal spray.
Because plant-based foods do not contain vitamin B-12, people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet may be more susceptible to a deficiency. Older people and those with gastrointestinal disorders that affect nutrient absorption are also more susceptible to vitamin B-12 deficiency.
“Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in producing brain chemicals such as serotonin that help regulate mood. When B12 levels drop, it can lead to imbalance of these chemicals, leading to symptoms like mood swings, irritability and even depression,” Dr Guruprasad Hosulkar, associate director, neurology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, told IANS.
Importantly, the doctors explained, “this association is not gender specific; both men and women can experience mood changes due to vitamin B12 deficiency.”
Although research is ongoing, studies suggest a link between vitamin B12 deficiency and depression, and some studies have shown that supplementing with vitamin B12 can improve mood.
However, it’s important to note that mood swings can have many causes, and you should see a doctor to rule out other factors and determine whether a vitamin B12 deficiency is present, Dr Guruprasad said.
“Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to several neurological symptoms including tingling, numbness, burning sensation in the legs, loss of balance, memory problems, mood disorders, psychosis, seizures and Parkinson’s disease,” Dr Sudheer Kumar of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, explained in a post on social media platform X.
“For patients presenting with neurological or psychiatric symptoms, suspect vitamin B12 deficiency as the cause, especially if no obvious cause has been identified. With early diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment, patients’ symptoms will improve rapidly,” he added.
The doctors also emphasised the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and advised key actions such as controlling high blood pressure and blood sugar levels, abstaining from smoking and alcohol, staying physically active, getting enough sleep and managing stress.
