Here we reveal the best of the rest health news stories from around the world. This week how Vitamin B12 can help the elderly ward off depression Vitamin B can beat ‘old age blues.’ – Vitamin B The Mental Health Magician.
Popping a vitamin pill could significantly reduce the risk of depression in the elderly, according to research. Scientists at the University of Western Australia found adults who took a regular dose of vitamin B12 were less likely to suffer mental-health problems in old age. The supplements lower the amount of homocysteine in the blood, high levels of which have been linked to heart disease and mood swings, among other disorders. This can be quickly reduced by taking B12 supplements, or eating food rich in the vitamin, such as red meat, oily fish, eggs, yoghurt and cheese.
Researchers questioned 3,752 men aged 70 and above on past or present symptoms of depression, and found those with the highest readings of homocysteine were 70 per cent more likely to suffer from it.
The researchers said: ‘Lowering homocysteine can reduce the odds of depression by about 20 per cent.’