Depletes Vitamin B12. This medication is commonly used for Contraception
Oral contraceptives (OCs) have been linked to a decrease in Vitamin B12 levels. Studies have shown a significant reduction in serum B12, the vitamin circulating in the blood, in women taking OCs for extended periods. One US study found a 40% decrease in B12 levels after five years of OC use. This decrease is concerning because vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in converting a form of folate (N-methyltetrahydrofolic acid) into its active form (tetrahydrofolic acid). This active folate is essential for healthy red blood cell production and other bodily functions. Due to the vital role of vitamin B12, supplementation when using OCs long-term should be considered.
Lussana F, Zighetti ML, Bucciarelli P, Cugno M, Cattaneo M. Blood levels of homocysteine, folate, vitamin B6 and B12 in women using oral contraceptives compared to non-users. Thromb Res. 2003;112(1-2):37-41. Shikh EV, Makhova AA, Chemeris AV, Tormyshov IA. [Iatrogenic deficits of micronutrients]. Vopr Pitan. 2021;90(4):53-63. Russian. Palmery M, Saraceno A, Vaiarelli A, Carlomagno G. Oral contraceptives and changes in nutritional requirements. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2013 Jul;17(13):1804-13. PMID: 23852908. Young RC, Blass JP. Iatrogenic nutritional deficiencies. Annu Rev Nutr. 1982;2:201-27.
Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin — 0.2 mg
Vitamin B12 deficiency is strongly associated with cognitive impairment, including problems with memory, attention, and executive function, and is considered a reversible cause of dementia when caught early. Low or borderline B12 levels are more common in older adults, particularly those with atrophic gastritis, long-term use of acid-suppressing medications, or vegetarian/vegan diets, and studies show that deficient individuals often perform worse on cognitive tests than those with adequate status. Clinically, correcting B12 deficiency can lead to measurable improvements in cognition and mood in some patients, which is why B12 levels are routinely checked in the evaluation of cognitive decline and suspected dementia.
In older adults, low folate status has been associated with a higher risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and faster cognitive decline over time, likely through effects on one‑carbon metabolism and homocysteine. Several longitudinal cohort studies have found that individuals with lower serum or red‑cell folate and higher homocysteine show steeper declines on memory and global cognition tests, and in some cohorts have a significantly higher incidence of MCI or dementia over follow‑up. The clinically important takeaway is that, when folate deficiency is detected and corrected (usually along with ensuring adequate vitamin B12), some patients demonstrate stabilization or modest improvement in cognitive performance, particularly when interventions are combined with aggressive management of vascular risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes.
Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin by Pure Encapsulations — 0.2 mg