Depressive symptoms

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause hematological problems, as well as neurological and psychological problems, such as irritability, personality changes, depression, and memory loss. Excitotoxic reactions induced by the accumulation of homocysteine are also known to worsen depression.

B12 is necessary for the proper functioning of your central nervous system, and a lack of it can have negative consequences for your mental health. B12 deficiency, in particular, has been linked to an increased risk of depression. Low amounts of B12 can lead to an increase in homocysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid. As a result, increased oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cell death in the body may contribute to the development of depression. In a 2020 study of 132 children and teenagers, 89 with depression and 43 without, researchers discovered that those with depression had lower B12 levels and higher homocysteine levels than those without depression.