Effects of Vitamin B12 Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Depressive Symptoms, and Fatigue: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression
Markun S, Gravestock I, Jager L, Rosemann T, Pichierri G, Burgstaller JM
Published in Nutrients
Methodology
Systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression of randomised controlled trials of vitamin B12 supplementation (alone or with other B vitamins) reporting cognition, depressive symptoms or fatigue.
Key Findings
Vitamin B12 supplementation lowered homocysteine substantially but produced no significant improvement in global cognition, depressive symptoms or fatigue in populations that were largely B12-replete.
Conclusions
Benefits of supplementation appear limited to people with genuine deficiency or elevated homocysteine; routine supplementation in replete adults is not supported.
Limitations
Heterogeneous doses, populations and instruments; few trials enrolled truly deficient participants.
Supplements Studied
Vitamin B12 supplementation had no significant effect on cognitive function, depressive symptoms or fatigue in the mostly vitamin B12 replete populations studied, despite substantial reductions in homocysteine.
Outcomes Measured
Vitamin B12 supplementation had no significant effect on fatigue in the mostly vitamin B12 replete populations studied.
Vitamin B12 supplementation had no significant effect on depressive symptoms in the mostly vitamin B12 replete populations studied.
Vitamin B12 supplementation had no significant effect on cognitive function in the mostly vitamin B12 replete populations studied, despite substantial reductions in homocysteine.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
Institutional / university funding
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.