The Anonymous Widower

Do B12 Injections Help Stroke Recovery?

A friend, who thinks I’ve made a good recovery from a stroke, asked me if there is anything I could recommend, for another of his friends, who has just had a stroke.

As a coeliac, am I in a group with a higher risk of a stroke?

So, I asked Google AI, the question, if this were true and received this answer.

Based on recent studies, individuals with coeliac disease have a small, slightly higher, or “modestly increased” risk of stroke, especially around the time of their diagnosis.
However, this risk does not appear to be significant in the long term, particularly for those who adhere to a strict gluten-free diet. 
Key Findings on Coeliac Disease and Stroke:
  • Initial Higher Risk: Some studies suggest a slightly increased risk of stroke (roughly a 10-15% increased likelihood). This risk is highest in the first year after diagnosis.
  • Effect of Gluten-Free Diet: After 5 years on a strict, gluten-free diet, the risk of stroke for people with coeliac disease is virtually the same as that of the general population.
  • Overall Risk: While some studies have suggested a link, others, including a 2023 UK Biobank study, found no clear evidence of an association between coeliac disease and stroke, although they did find an overall increased risk of cardiovascular disease (27% higher).
  • Mechanism: The potential for a higher risk is likely due to the chronic inflammation associated with untreated coeliac disease, rather than traditional risk factors like high blood pressure or smoking.
  • Children: A 2023 study found that coeliac disease plays a minimal role in the risk of stroke in children, but recommended that doctors consider it a potential factor in cases of stroke with unknown causes.

Conclusion:
While untreated coeliac disease may slightly increase the risk of stroke due to chronic inflammation, adhering to a gluten-free diet helps manage this risk.

This study by coeliacUK and Oxford University, was the source of the findings by Google AI.

Do B12 Injections Help Stroke Recovery?

For nearly thirty years, ever since I was diagnosed as coeliac, I have had regular three-monthly B12 injections. So ever since my stroke in 2011, I have had B12 injections.

So now AI is available, I felt I should ask Google AI to see if it says anything useful.

This is the answer I received.

Vitamin B12 injections show promise in stroke recovery by supporting nerve repair, promoting brain cell communication, reducing inflammation, and potentially lowering future stroke risk, especially if a deficiency exists; studies link higher B12 levels to better functional outcomes, though it’s crucial to discuss supplementation with a doctor as individual needs vary, notes this rehab article and this NIH article.
How B12 Helps Stroke Recovery:
  • Nerve Repair & Axonal Growth: B12 aids in repairing damaged nerve fibers (axons) and regenerating nerve cells, vital for restoring lost function after a stroke.
  • Reduces Inflammation: It helps calm the harmful inflammatory response (neuroinflammation) in the brain after an ischemic stroke, notes this ScienceDirect article.
  • Improves Brain Communication: B12 supports neurotransmitter production, allowing brain cells to communicate more effectively and speeding up healing, according to this Flint Rehab article.
  • Lowers Stroke Risk: By reducing homocysteine levels, an amino acid linked to stroke, B12 can help prevent recurrent strokes, reports this Flint Rehab article and this NIH article.
  • Supports Microglia Function: It helps functionalize microglia (brain immune cells) to reduce injury and promote recovery, states this ScienceDirect article.
When Injections Are UsedDeficiency: Injections are often recommended for those with absorption issues (like vegans or stomach problems) or severe deficiency, notes this Verywell Health article and this National Institutes of Health (NIH) article.
  • To Boost Recovery: For those with moderate deficiencies, injections or supplementation can improve neurological function, notes this NIH article. 

Conclusion

B12 injections seem to have done me no harm.

I also have them on the NHS, at no cost to myself.

January 21, 2026 Posted by | Artificial Intelligence, Computing, Health | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment