Vitamin B12 Intake Correlated to Physical and Mental Improvements in Multiple Sclerosis Specific Quality of Life

Abstract

Current literature fails to provide individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) specific dietary recommendations to advance quality of life (QOL). Due to the important structural and functional roles of vitamin B 12 in the nervous system, the purpose of this research was to determine possible correlations between dietary intake of vitamin B 12 and self-reported quality of life (QOL) among individuals with MS. The National MS Society and MS Foundation were used to recruit volunteers age 18 and older with a clinical diagnosis of MS. After the initial response (n = 89), 46 participants completed an online demographic survey/questionnaire and the MS Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54). Additionally, participants (n=23), completed a 3-day food record utilizing MyPyramid Tracker. Increased consumption of vitamin B 12 (M=4.63 ± 3.44 µg) was positively correlated to the MSQOL-54 Subscales, Emotional Well-Being, Health Perceptions, Health Distress, and Overall QOL, as well as, to the QOL Composite Summary score for Mental Health. Individuals who consumed 5.0 µg or more of vitamin B 12 exhibited significantly higher QOL scores for eight of the twelve Subscales, including Pain and Overall QOL (p<0.01). Additionally, both of the QOL Composite Summary scores (Physical and Mental) were significantly higher (p<0.01) than individuals who consumed less than 5.0 µg of vitamin B 12 . Dietary intake studies like this one can assist in producing dietary guidelines for individuals with MS, which are currently absent from the Nutrition Care Manual. Since MS currently has no known cure, efforts of healthcare professionals should focus on influencing QOL through specific micronutrient intake recommendations, especially vitamin B 12 . Increased vitamin B 12 requirements may be needed for individuals with MS to achieve greater QOL.

The Effect of Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid Supplementation on Serum Homocysteine, Anemia Status and Quality of Life of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

“…The effect of debilitating chronic diseases such as MS and their attendant problems, including the impact of disability on quality of life in all dimensions is obvious [22]. Increasing the consumption of folic acid and vitamin B12 improved physical and mental dimensions of quality of life which is in line with the findings of our study [23]. Zhang et al [24] have shown that vitamin B12 can reduce pain in some neurological diseases such as MS.…”

“…This effect was also seen in the vitamin group of the present study. Pietro et al [23] studied on 2 groups of patients with MS and reported that the group of subjects who consumed more than 4.2 µg of vitamin B12 on daily bases had a greater improvement in the quality of life compared to the group that consumed less than 4.2 µg of this vitamin per day. The results of the present study indicated that vitamin B12 and folic acid consumption significantly improved both physical and mental dimensions of life quality in the vitamin group; but in the placebo group, improvements were only limited to the psychological dimension of quality of life and no significant change in the physical dimension was observed.…”

The association between glycemic index and glycemic load and quality of life among overweight and obese women: a cross-sectional study

“…Participants with HGI carbohydrate consumption, in contrast with participants in low GI categories, had lower intake of vitamin B12, vitamin D, and biotin, where these nutrients have been reported to positively effect the nervous system, and neurotransmitter transportation and synthesis [12][13][14]. Studies have shown that increases in the intake of vitamin B12 led to an improvement in QOL measures, which can be referred to emotional well-being [41]. Therefore the role of B12 in the RE can justify our results; across the GI categories, the RE has decreasing trends.…”

The effect of consuming multivitamin/mineral supplements on elderly quality of life

“…[ 31 ] Pietro et al ., 2014 as well, showed in a study about the effect of B12 Vitamin's use on the patients with MS that the aspect of quality of life (physical and psychological) have been more improved in the individuals who took this vitamin for 2.4 mg everyday. [ 36 ] Ryan-Harshman and Aldoori, 2008showed that the use of B12 vitamin leads to an increase in the quality of life in the individuals with nervous problems. [ 37 ] In the study by Moghadam et al .…”