Relationship: Smell (loss of) and vitamin B12

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B12
For the health condition: Smell (loss of)

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Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

There is some scientific evidence to support the use of vitamin B12 for treating loss of smell (anosmia), although the evidence is limited and of low to moderate quality. Vitamin B12 is essential for normal nerve function, and its deficiency can lead to neurological symptoms, including sensory disturbances. Several case reports and small clinical studies have described improvement in olfactory function following vitamin B12 supplementation in patients with B12 deficiency-related anosmia. For example, a 1996 case series published in the journal Rhinology described several patients with loss of smell who responded positively to vitamin B12 injections. More recently, a randomized controlled trial published in 2017 in the journal European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology found that intranasal vitamin B12 improved smell function in patients with olfactory dysfunction, though the sample size was small and results need confirmation. However, not all cases of anosmia are related to B12 deficiency, and supplementation is only likely to be effective when a deficiency is present. Overall, while there is a plausible biological basis and some preliminary clinical evidence, vitamin B12 should mainly be considered in cases where deficiency is documented or strongly suspected. Routine use for all patients with loss of smell is not currently supported by robust clinical trials.

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vitamin B12
zinc

Other health conditions supported by vitamin B12

Alcoholism
Alzheimer's Disease
Anemia
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Autoimmune Disorders
Bell's Palsy
Birth Defects (prevention)
Burning Feet or Hands
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Hearing Loss
Infertility
Memory and Brain Function
Mental Illness
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Numbness
Nursing
Paralysis
Pernicious Anemia
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Senility
Smell (loss of)
Sore or Geographic Tongue
Stress
Wasting

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Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B12
For the health condition: Smell (loss of)

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Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Smell (loss of)

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B12For the health condition: Smell (loss of)

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Smell (loss of)

Other health conditions supported by vitamin B12

Products containing vitamin B12

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B12
For the health condition: Smell (loss of)