This Deficiency Sends Depression Risk Skyrocketing

51 percent increased risk

If you’re struggling with mental health issues, you’re not alone. 

Prior to COVID-19, mental health disorders were the leading causes of global health-related burden, with depression and anxiety leading the way. 

Now, more than a year into the pandemic, those numbers have only gotten worse. 

But there’s something that has nothing to do with COVID-19 that could be dramatically increasing your risk of depression. 

It’s a nutrient deficiency that increases your risk by a whopping 51 percent. 

Fortunately, there’s a simple fix. 

Vitamin B12 is needed to form red blood cells and DNA. It helps keep your blood and nerve cells healthy. And it binds to the protein in the food you eat. 

A deficiency in B12 can lead to all sorts of symptoms… anemia, impaired cognitive function, or even damage to the protective coverings in the nerve fibers in your brain. 

And now a study has shown that a deficiency in B12 can significantly increase your risk of depression. 

This study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, found that older people who are deficient in vitamin B12 were 51 percent more likely to develop depression over the next four years. 

Depression is more than just feeling down in the dumps. 

It can affect your relationships, your quality of life, and it’s a risk factor for functional decline, admission to residential care… and an early death. 

And that’s a MAJOR problem since as much as 20 percent of all adults over 60 years old are deficient in vitamin B12. 

You see, as you get older, it becomes harder for your body to absorb vitamin B12. 

And if you have an autoimmune condition like Crohn’s or lupus, if you’re taking medicines like proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers, or if you’re a vegan, your risk is even higher. 

To give your B12 levels a boost, start eating more foods high in the nutrient—like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. 

It’s always a good idea to have your blood levels tested, too. If you find you’re still deficient, consider adding in a supplement to get your levels up to speed.