Older people experiencing brain fog should be tested for vitamin B12 deficiency, the health watchdog has said.
Experts have warned that as many as one in 20 people over 60 and one in 10 over 75 could be suffering from the vitamin deficiency, with overall numbers increasing because of the rise in veganism.
The vitamin is found in meat, fish, eggs and dairy products but very little is in plants.
Vegans and over-60s with brain fog ‘at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency’
For me, B12 deficiency resulted in brain fog and led to experiencing migraines/visual auras/scotomas 5x to 10x every day, before the problem was identified. Was also the likely cause of a gallbladder inflammation, and an outbreak of warts on my eyelids. I spent between $5,000 and $6000 out of pocket on medical tests trying to find the causes of the problems, to no avail. I stumbled onto the B12 issue by accident, and blood tests confirmed the deficiency. Since taking B12 supplements, I have not had another migraine/aura/scotoma again, the warts are gone, and no more abdominal problems. B12 deficiency is not a minor health problem – it must be taken seriously especially if you are vegan or vegetarian.
There are studies that back those findings of migraines/auras/scotomas, gall bladder inflammation, warts and also diarrhea.
The story erroneously says vegans and not vegetarians; however, about 1 in 4 vegetarians will suffer B12 deficiency. It is popular to say this is just a vegan issue but it applies to vegetarians too. Many studies say vegetarians don’t have to worry about B12 – but do not take into account that most vegetarians quit within 2 years. Most of us store 2-6 years of B12 in our liver – thus, most vegetarians quit before the B12 deficiency sets in.
Contrary to the media hype, very few people are vegan or vegetarians. Per a 2023 Gallop survey, 1% of the U.S. population is vegan and 4% are vegetarian, down from 2%/6% twenty years ago.
The exact same people saying you should get all of your nutrients from food, then turn say you should eat plant-based foods and take B12 supplements. They are not consistent: Kick Vitamin B12 Deficiency to the Curb With These 9 Supplements (msn.com)
There is no problem if you choose to eat vegetarian, have the training to balance the required nutrients, consult with your doctor and a nutritionist – and take steps to do it “right”.
(Vegans eat no animal derived products while vegetarians generally eat dairy and eggs. B12 is supplied in the diet only by animal derived foods, for the most part. I had become an accidental vegetarian – I have now returned to eating meat – see story in right side bar.)
If you intend to eat vegetarian, or plant-based, or vegan, please consult with your doctor and a nutritionist. Follow the advice of your doctor and nutritionist.
