Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) is the largest and most complex of vitamins. B12 is important in methylation of DNA and histones (which controls gene expression), phospholipid and myelin formation, and in red blood cell formation. Human bodies do not synthesize enough B12 from gut bacteria and is obtained from food sources.
Low B12 intake and levels are associated with depression, diminished cognitive performance, increased brain atrophy, poor mitochondrial function (impairing cellular energy metabolism), higher levels of inflammation and oxidative stress, and an elevated risk of dementia [Berkins, 2021; Doets, 2013; Ekinci, 2023; Hooshmand, 2016].
Vitamin B12 can modulate gut microbial ecology by encouraging the growth of healthy gut bacteria and suppressing the growth of negative ones [Degnan, 2014].
B12 levels are lower in people with migraine [Aydin, 2021; Ozek, 2022; Togha, 2019]. Lower B12 levels are associated with higher migraine attack frequency [Ozek, 2022]. In clinical studies, combined B12, B6, and folate supplements help improve migraine control [Liampas, 2020; Menon, 2012].
References
Aydin H, Bucak IH, Geyik M. Vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in pediatric migraine patients. Acta Neurol Belg 2021;121:1741-4
Berkins S, Schioth HB, Rukh G. Depression and vegetarians: association between dietary vitamin B6, B12 and folate intake and global and subcortical brain volumes. Nutrients 2021;13:1790
Degnan C, Taga ME, Goodman AL. Vitamin B12 as a modulator of gut microbial ecology. Cell Metab 2014;20:769-78
Doets E.L., van Wijngaarden J.P., Szczecinska A., et al. Vitamin B12 intake and status and cognitive function in elderly people. Epidemiol. Rev. 2013;35:2–21
Ekinci GN, Sanlier N. The relationship between nutrition and depression in the life process: a mini-reivew. Exp Gerontol 2023;172:112072
Erickson K.I., Suever B.L., Prakash R.S., et al. Greater intake of vitamins B6 and B12 spares gray matter in healthy elderly: A voxel-based morphometry study. Brain Res. 2008;1199:20–26
Hooshmand B, Mangialasche F, Kalpouzos G, et al. Association of Vitamin B12, Folate, and Sulfur Amino Acids with Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Measures in Older Adults: A Longitudinal Population-Based Study. JAMA Psychiatry 2016;73:606–613
Liampas IN, Siokas V, Aloizou AM, et al. Pyridoxine, folate and cobalamin for migraine: a systematic review. Acta Neurol Scand 2020;142:108-120
Menon S., Lea R. A., Roy B., et al. Genotypes of the MTHFR C677T and MTRR A66G genes act independently to reduce migraine disability in response to vitamin supplementation. Pharmacogenetics Genomics. 2012;22(10):741–749
Ozek SU. A study on the correlation between pain frequency and severity and vitamin B12 levels in episodic and chronic migraine. Arq Nueropsiquiatr 2022;80:586-92
Togha M, Jahromi SR, Ghorbani Z, et al. Serum vitamin B12 and methylmalonic acid status in migraineurs: a case-control study. Headache 2019;59:1492-1503
