Common Vitamin Protects Your Pancreas
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 1, 2024
You’ve probably heard about vitamin B12 for its role in keeping your blood and nerves healthy.
But could it also be the key to protecting your pancreas?
New research from Sichuan University in China suggests that this unassuming B vitamin might have even more benefits than we thought—helping to reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening condition.
Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas, the organ responsible for producing enzymes that help digest food and hormones that regulate blood sugar.
When it becomes inflamed, it can lead to severe complications, including infection, tissue damage, and organ failure. In many cases, pancreatitis requires hospitalization and intensive care.
For years, treatment options have been limited to supportive care—meaning that doctors focus on managing the symptoms rather than addressing the root cause of the inflammation.
But now, researchers are exploring whether vitamin B12 could offer a new way to prevent or reduce the severity of this condition.
Vitamin B12s unique ability to protect the pancreas may lie in its role in cellular energy production.
Vitamin B12 is crucial role in generating ATP (adenosine triphosphate), often called the “energy currency” of cells. ATP provides the energy cells need to perform their functions, including resisting damage and recovering from stress.
According to the study, vitamin B12 increases ATP levels in pancreatic tissues, which appears to help the pancreas withstand the stress that leads to acute pancreatitis.
The researchers used a method called Mendelian randomization to analyze genetic data from large population studies, including the UK Biobank and the FinnGen consortium. They found that people with genetic variants linked to higher vitamin B12 levels had a lower risk of developing acute pancreatitis.
But the research didn’t stop there. The scientists also conducted mice experiments to see how, in real-time, vitamin B12 might protect the pancreas.
Mice that were deficient in vitamin B12 developed severe pancreatic inflammation when exposed to substances that normally induce pancreatitis. However, when the researchers gave normal mice vitamin B12—either before or after inducing pancreatitis—it significantly reduced pancreatic damage and inflammation.
In other words, vitamin B12 appeared to act as a protective shield for the pancreas, helping it resist the stress and inflammation that lead to pancreatitis.
While these findings are exciting, it’s important to remember that most of the research has been conducted on animals. Human trials are needed to confirm whether vitamin B12 can provide the same protective benefits for people.
That said, maintaining healthy levels of vitamin B12 is essential for overall health, and this study gives us one more reason to ensure we’re getting enough of it—especially for those at higher risk of pancreatitis, such as individuals with a genetic predisposition, folks with gallstones, or those who drink a lot of alcohol.
Foods that are rich in vitamin B12 include…
- Fish and seafood (especially shellfish like clams)
- Meat (beef, liver, chicken)
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
- Eggs
If you’re concerned about your vitamin B12 levels, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor, who may recommend dietary changes or supplements to help you meet your needs.
P.S. Diabetes breakthrough helps rebuild the pancreas? Find out here.
Source:
Chen, Y., Li, X., Lu, R., Lv, Y., Wu, Y., et al., (2024). Vitamin B12 protects necrosis of acinar cells in pancreatic tissues with acute pancreatitis. MedComm, 5(11), e686.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED
By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...
Let It Go—The Unexpected Freedom of “Fart Walks”
Ever notice your walk sometimes comes with some, well… unexpected sound effects? One step, two step, POOT! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this natural phenomenon. Passing gas on your daily stroll is totally normal—and it means your digestive system is working well. Here’s what’s happening… Walking and other physical activities stimulate your digestive tract,...