Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B12
For the health condition: Smell (loss of)

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Synopsis

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

There is some scientific evidence to support the use of vitamin B12 for treating loss of smell (anosmia), although the evidence is limited and of low to moderate quality. Vitamin B12 is essential for normal nerve function, and its deficiency can lead to neurological symptoms, including sensory disturbances. Several case reports and small clinical studies have described improvement in olfactory function following vitamin B12 supplementation in patients with B12 deficiency-related anosmia. For example, a 1996 case series published in the journal Rhinology described several patients with loss of smell who responded positively to vitamin B12 injections. More recently, a randomized controlled trial published in 2017 in the journal European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology found that intranasal vitamin B12 improved smell function in patients with olfactory dysfunction, though the sample size was small and results need confirmation. However, not all cases of anosmia are related to B12 deficiency, and supplementation is only likely to be effective when a deficiency is present. Overall, while there is a plausible biological basis and some preliminary clinical evidence, vitamin B12 should mainly be considered in cases where deficiency is documented or strongly suspected. Routine use for all patients with loss of smell is not currently supported by robust clinical trials.

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Other ingredients used for Smell (loss of)

vitamin B12
zinc