Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted July 19, 2025
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test.
But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age.
Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be dangerously outdated—especially for protecting your brain health.
In the new study, older adults with vitamin B12 levels that doctors would consider perfectly “normal” were actually showing signs of cognitive decline and brain damage.
Yes, you read that right—even with levels that would get a green light from most healthcare providers.
The research revealed that people with B12 levels on the lower end of what’s considered normal had noticeably slower thinking and reaction times.
But here’s the scary part: brain scans revealed white matter lesions—abnormalities in the brain strongly linked to dementia and cognitive problems down the road.
The research highlights a decades-old problem with outdated nutritional guidelines.
Much of what we know about vitamin requirements, including vitamin B12, comes from research conducted years ago. The nutritional landscape has changed dramatically since then, and we’ve learned so much more about how our bodies age and what they need to stay healthy.
The truth is, as we get older, our nutritional needs shift in ways that those earlier studies didn’t fully capture. What works for a 30-year-old may leave a 70-year-old’s brain vulnerable to decline.
Vitamin B12 is essential for critical functions, including DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and nerve tissue maintenance.
However, this new study suggests that the minimum requirement may not be enough to protect brain health as we age.
The good news is that increasing your B12 levels doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul. Here are some practical steps you can take:
- Focus on B12-rich foods, such as beef liver, clams, fish, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. If you like seafood you’re in luck—many types of fish and shellfish are excellent sources.
- Consider taking a high-quality B12 supplement, especially if you’re over 50, as absorption naturally decreases with age. A B-complex containing other B vitamins can actually help your body absorb and use B12 more effectively.
- Talk to your doctor about B12 injections if you have known absorption issues or your levels are severely low. These bypass the digestive system so they can be very effective.
- Explore fortified foods if you follow a plant-based diet. Many breakfast cereals, nutritional yeasts, and plant-based milks are fortified with B12.
This research is a gentle reminder that what’s “normal” on a lab test doesn’t always mean “optimal” for your long-term health. It also highlights the need for updated nutrition research that considers the unique needs of different age groups.
If you’re concerned about your vitamin B12 status, talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested and whether you might benefit from supplements.
P.S. This $5 fix REVERSES cellular aging in just six months.
Source:
Alexandra Beaudry-Richard MSc, Ahmed Abdelhak MD, PhD, Rowan Saloner PhD, Simone Sacco MD, et al., Vitamin B12 Levels Association with Functional and Structural Biomarkers of Central Nervous System Injury in Older Adults, Annals of Neurology, Volume 97, Issue 6, June 2025, Pages 1190-1204, doi:10.1002/ana.27200
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.
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