ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic experts routinely recommend that older adults consider B-12 supplements or food fortified with this critical vitamin. The September issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter covers the importance of vitamin B-12, problems associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency and how this condition can be avoided.
Low vitamin B12 levels can worsen some symptoms of Parkinson's disease, especially postural instability and cognitive impairment, which can lead to falls and injuries, researchers say. Lower vitamin B12 levels also are associated with higher Hoehn-Yahr stage, the tool for assessing disease severity, and neuropathy in Parkinson's patients.
It pays to be alert to symptoms and consider taking a vitamin B-12 supplement or eating food fortified with vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 is one of the few vitamins Mayo Clinic experts routinely recommend for older adults. Vitamin B-12 plays a role in red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, nerve function and bone health.
He adds, "Calcium and vitamin D alone in patients at high fracture risk is not as beneficial as using them combined with osteoporosis medications." Talk with your health care provider to find out if calcium supplements are right for you.
What do you recommend? ANSWER: Understanding how much vitamin D you need can be confusing because there are different recommendations about how much vitamin D adults should get. Using the recommendations that fall on the low end, many adults don’t get the amount of vitamin D they should.
A calcium-rich diet is important to maintain optimal bone health and prevent osteoporosis. So, too, is vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium to be deposited into bones. The amount of calcium and vitamin D needed to optimize bone health increases with aging. Circulating estrogen also is nurturing to bones.
As in your niece's situation, vitamin D deficiency is often diagnosed with a blood test, because a lack of vitamin D typically doesn't cause any obvious signs or symptoms until the deficiency is severe. If left untreated over time, vitamin D deficiency can lead to serious bone disorders.
As you should with any vitamin or mineral supplement, get the facts before you start taking folic acid. In some cases, a supplement may be appropriate, but taking too much folic acid may carry risks. Folate is found naturally in certain foods. Dark green vegetables, beans, peas and nuts tend to be rich in folate.
High doses of biotin — 10–300 milligrams per day — can provide false high or low blood levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, vitamin D and troponin. Therefore, it is important to let your health care provider know if you are taking a biotin supplement — or any supplement.
Do dietary supplements reduce your risk of dementia and improve brain health? The Global Council on Brain Health says they don't. In a new report, the organization recommends that most people not take dietary supplements for this purpose. In addition, the Global Council on Brain Health, which is a collaborative organization associated with the AARP, […]
