An Alarming fact

Studies done on the possible biological causes of depression have largely overlooked one possible cause : vitamin b12 deficiency. This is understandable, since very few people in western countries are vegetarians and therefore very few are vitamin b 12 deficient. But here in India, where meat and dairy food consumption is very low, vitamin b12 deficiency is a real threat.

And recent findings reveal a scary picture: A study conducted in Pune reveals that “Of the urban middle class, 81% had low vitamin B12 concentration and 79% had hyperhomocysteinemia “ An extremely alarming situation, since it is well known now that “vitamin b12 deficiency is implicated in a spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders” ( American Academy of Family Physicians) . The first symptoms of vitamin b12 deficiency are often depression, confusion and decline in cognitive abilities. “Low vitamin B12 status have been found in studies of depressive patients, and an association between depression and low levels of the two vitamins is found in studies of the general population.” ( journal of psychopharmacology)

The Pune study rightly laments the fact that this grave threat is barely recognized. “Eventhough low circulating vitamin B12 concentration have been recognised in Indians for a long time,11 there is little appreciation of this amongst Indian medical professionals and policy makers ‘
To make things worse “Hyperhomocysteinemia was associated with some components of the metabolic syndrome i.e. hyperglycemia, hypertension and low levels of plasma
HDL-cholesterol concentration “

To limit damage due to vitamin b12 deficiency , we can take vitamin b12 rich foods. In the Indian context , these include yoghurt , milk and eggs , in that order. 100 grams of yoghurt supply 1.5 mcgs of vitamin b12 , and therefore consumption of 500 grams of yoghurt should be more than enough. ( the required level , according to one organization is 2.4 mcgs daily)
http://japi.org/october2006/O-775.pdf
http://jop.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/19/1/59