AGING PROBLEMS? SENILITY, MEMORY LOSS AND MUSCLE COORDINATION CAN BE HELPED BY THIS INCREDIBLE VITAMIN

Studies suggest that a deficiency of vitamin B12 may be at least partly responsible for declining mental ability and muscle coordination in some older people. And experts say that about 25 percent of people over age 60 no longer have the ability to make enough stomach acid to absorb sufficient amounts of vitamin B12 from food.

Until recently, injections have been the most common treatment for B12 deficiency. Now, oral B12 supplements may provide help for some people. As part of a recent study, oral B12 supplements were given to eight people who had low stomach-acid production and eight “normal” elderly people. Neither group had any difficulty absorbing similar amounts of the vitamins. The results suggest that when B12 supplements are taken separately from meals, the recipient may overcome his or her absorption problems, at least in the early stages. Reversing B12 deficiency could also lead to reversing any related mental and/or physical problem.