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Vitamin B-12 Deficiency & Sleep Problems

Jun 21, 2011 | By Catherine Frances
Vitamin B-12 Deficiency & Sleep Problems
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Vitamin B-12, also called cobalamin, is found in all foods of animal origin. It is the largest in size and the most complex of all the vitamins. The role of vitamins and minerals within the body is to act as either a cofactor or coenzyme in metabolic reactions. Vitamin B-12 is a cofactor for two enzymes, methionine synthase and L-methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. These two enzymes are needed to regulate the body's functions, and while they do not induce sleep, there may be a relationship between this vitamin and sleep problems.

At-risk Groups for B-12 Deficiency

Elderly people are at risk for B-12 deficiency, since age affects how well B-12 is absorbed. Vegans, strict vegetarians and people on long-term restrictive diets are also at risk for deficiency, as are those who suffer from malabsorption disorders.

Deficiency State

The clinical manifestations of B-12 deficiency are very similar to those of folate deficiency. However, it can take many months or even years for vitamin B-12 deficiency symptoms to develop. Common symptoms of deficiency include pernicious anemia and megaloblastic anemia, as well as abnormal neurological and psychiatric symptoms including ataxia, muscle weakness, incontinence, low blood pressure, vision problems, dementia, psychoses and mood disturbances.

Sleep Problems and B-12

Numerous case studies show that B-12 lessens sleep disturbances. In the February 1990 publication of "Sleep," an article titled "Vitamin B-12 Treatment for Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorders" revealed that B-12 administration improved patients' sleep by lessening sleep disturbances. Withholding the vitamin in these case studies resulted in the reappearance of sleep disturbances.

Further Examination

Another case study examined a man who suffered from recurrent hypersomnia, but with B-12 administration his recurrent hypersomnia was prevented. This case study is titled "Treatment of Recurrent Hypersomnia With Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12): a Case Report" and is found in the journal December 2005 issue of "Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience."

Contradictory Evidence

However, another study published in the journal "Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience" in October 1997 titled "Vitamin B12 Treatment for Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome: a Multi-center Double-blind Study" has shown that B-12 is not an effective treatment. Many of the studies that support B-12 and sleep focus on single individuals, and large-scale clinical trials have not yet been conducted.

Lack of Evidence

While some studies have shown that taking B-12 has alleviated sleep problems, there is not enough scientific evidence to recommend its usage. MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, has deemed B-12 ineffective as a cure for sleep disorders. While evidence is not conclusive, there is no harm in taking a B-12 supplement.

References

Article reviewed by S.C. Ville Last updated on: Jun 21, 2011

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