Vitamin B-12 is one of the essential B vitamins you need in your daily diet. Although it is a water-soluble vitamin, it is the only one stored in small amounts in your liver. B-12 has several roles in a variety of functions, including normal neurological, or brain function. For optimal brain power, make sure you consume the recommended 2.4 mcg of B-12 each day.
Central Nervous System Function
Vitamin B-12 is essential for normal maintenance of your central nervous system, which is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. The central nervous system sends, receives and processes messages that control all functions throughout your body. Vitamin B-12 is unique in that, in one form, it pairs with a mineral in order to function. When B-12 is combined with cobalt, it is called methylcobalamin, which is essential for the function of amino acids that power your brain. Amino acids such as methionine and S-adenosylmethionine rely on B-12 for proper function for methylation reactions to occur.
Methylcobalamin Benefits
Methylcobalamin protects neurons, which are nerve cells that make up the nervous system. Without this form of B-12, function of the brain and nervous system may be impaired. The myelin sheath is a protective insulator wrapped around neurons that helps with message transmission. Methylation reactions, powered by B-12, are necessary for the metabolism of certain components of the myelin sheath. According to Michael S. Ritsner, author of "Brain Protection in Schizophrenia, Mood and Cognitive Disorders," when you have inadequate amounts of B-12 in your body, the myelin sheath can become deformed, causing a miscommunication between cells. Senior citizens are at risk for B-12 deficiency, since they may have problems with absorption, leading to cognitive impairment later in life.
Cognitive Function
Cognitive function is your brain's ability to manage and utilize information for your regular everyday activities. If you don't have enough B-12 in your diet, your cognitive function may decline, making even the simplest task difficult for you. As cognitive function declines, you feel stressed, confused and have a loss of Independence. Low blood levels of vitamin B-12 have links to poor performance on cognitive tests, while adequate B-12 levels support high cognitive function and normal brain function.
Other Conditions
In extreme cases, lack of B-12 and having poor cognitive function can lead to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. B-12 blood levels in Alzheimer's and dementia patients is usually low. The Linus Pauling Institute reports that Alzheimer's patients, in particular, have a low level of B-12 in the spinal fluid, compared to other forms of dementia.
References
- "Brain Protection in Schizophrenia, Mood and Cognitive Disorders"; Michael S. Ritsner; 2010
- USDA Agricultural Research Service; Nutrition and Brain Function: Boosting Our Knowledge of Brain Food; November 2007
- Linus Pauling Institute; Vitamin B12; Jane Higdon, Ph.D., and Victoria Drake, Ph.D.; August 2007
