Researchers at Rice University have identified the first direct connection between a diet deficient in vitamin B12 and an increased vulnerability to two potentially lethal pathogens, according to a study published in PLOS Genetics. The unexpected discovery was made using roundworms as model organisms.
Although roundworms are among the simplest animals, they share an important characteristic with humans: neither can synthesize vitamin B12 and both must obtain it through their diet. This shared dependency made the worms a useful model for studying how B12 deficiency affects susceptibility to infection.
Vitamin B12 is found primarily in animal-based foods such as clams, liver and kidneys, and certain fish like trout, salmon and tuna. In the United States, roughly 10 percent of adults consume inadequate amounts of B12. Groups at higher risk for low B12 levels include vegetarians and vegans, as well as people older than 50, since the body’s ability to absorb B12 often declines with age. For these individuals, fortified foods or supplements are recommended to maintain adequate levels.