Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) has some scientific support for its role in memory and brain function, particularly in individuals with a B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is essential for normal neurological function and the synthesis of neurotransmitters and myelin, which are crucial for cognitive processes. Deficiency in B12 can lead to neurological symptoms, including memory loss, cognitive impairment, and even dementia-like symptoms, especially in older adults. Supplementation with B12 can improve cognitive function in people with documented deficiency, and reversing deficiency can sometimes restore cognitive abilities.

However, in individuals with normal B12 levels, there is limited evidence that further supplementation improves memory or brain function. Large randomized controlled trials in populations without deficiency have generally failed to show significant cognitive benefits from B12 supplementation. Therefore, while there is a clear scientific basis for using B12 to prevent or treat cognitive decline due to deficiency, its use as a general memory or brain enhancer in non-deficient individuals is not well supported by current evidence.

References:

• Smith AD, Refsum H. "Vitamin B-12 and cognition in the elderly." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2009.
• O'Leary F, Samman S. "Vitamin B12 in health and disease." Nutrients, 2010.
• Dangour AD et al. "Effects of vitamin B12 supplementation on neurological and cognitive function in older people: a randomized controlled trial." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2015.

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