The ‘silent pandemic’ slowly destroying the lives of millions of Brits – and increasing their risk dementia

A “SILENT pandemic” is slowly destroying the lives of millions of Brits, experts warn. 

As many as 50 per cent of people in the UK are deficient in vital B vitamins but have no idea.

If left untreated, this can lead to extreme tiredness, depression, birth defects, dementia and even cancer.

Dr Harry Jarrett, head of science and research at supplement brand Heights, said: “These nutrients play such an important role in various different reactions throughout the human body.

“Without them, the body simply can’t function.”

B Vitamins are a group of eight key nutrients. They include:

• Thiamine (vitamin B1) 
• Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
• Niacin (vitamin B3) – 
• Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
• Vitamin B6
• Biotin (vitamin B7)
• Folate (vitamin B9 or folic acid)
• Vitamin B12

Collectively, they help the body store and release energy from food, keep the nervous system healthy, form red blood cells, and look after our skin and eyes.

But due to fast food, the rising popularity of vegan diets, the cost of living crisis, busy modern lives, and not enough of us taking supplements, many of us aren’t getting enough of them.

In fact, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of hospital admissions caused by a lack of vitamins.

“Very concerning” NHS figures show anaemia caused by vitamin B12 or B9 (folate) led to 3,490 admissions in 2023/24 – up 400 per cent from 1998/99. 

And there was a 15 per cent increase in admissions for B vitamin deficiency (other than folate) from 2022/23. 

“Recent studies show that the UK population, amongst many others, are deficient or have suboptimal levels of a number of these B vitamins,” Dr Jarrett said. 

“A major concern right now is riboflavin, otherwise known as vitamin B2.”

Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found 39 per cent of younger and 29 per cent of older adults were riboflavin deficient. 

A similar study, presented at the Nutrition Society Winter Conference 2025, discovered this number was a “striking” 50 per cent in otherwise healthy UK adults. 

Riboflavin is found in foods like milk, eggs, mushrooms and plain yoghurt, and adults need about 1.2mg of the stuff a day. 

It’s essential for energy production as it helps turn foods into fuel, and it plays an important role in iron production.  

It can even lower blood pressure in people with a genetic risk factor for stroke and vascular dementia, according to Scientists at Ulster University.

But things can go seriously wrong when we don’t get enough. 

If left untreated for long periods, it can lead to increased risk of cognitive dysfunction and dementia

Dr Harry Jarrett

“In the short-term, riboflavin deficiency, known as ariboflavinosis, presents as cheilosis (sores around the mouth), glossitis (swollen and sore tongue) and swelling of the mouth and throat,” Dr Jarrett said. 

“Riboflavin also interacts with iron, which explains why anaemia can also present alongside riboflavin deficiency.

“In the long-term, if riboflavin deficiency isn’t corrected and anaemia remains untreated, it can have serious negative complications. 

“This includes effects on the heart, such as tachycardia (abnormally fast heartbeat), lungs and extreme tiredness.”

He added: “Riboflavin also plays an important role in activating both folate and vitamin B6, so deficiency in riboflavin can lead to deficiency of both folate and vitamin B6.”

Folate (vitamin B9) levels are also a “big concern” across the population, according to the expert. 

“Data from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey shows there has been a steady reduction in blood folate levels, with more and more adults and children being deficient,” he said. 

“This folate decline is two to three per year, with a 25 to 28 per cent reduction in the past 11 years, which is extremely alarming. 

“Of great concern is that now almost nine out of 10 women have folate levels that increase their risk of a neural tube defect affected-pregnancy.”

A global study published in The Lancet Global Health found that more than four billion people did not consume enough riboflavin or folate from their diet alone.

“That’s over 50 per cent of the global population, so it’s a major concern,” Dr Jarrett said. 

Folate is found in vegetables like cabbage, kale and broccoli, as well as chickpeas, kidney beans, and fortified cereals, and we need about 200micrograms per day. 

“It plays a whole host of important roles, including the formation of red blood cells that help to carry oxygen around the body – a vital process,” Dr Jarrett said. 

“Folate is also involved in biosynthesis in cells, methylation of DNA, contributing to DNA synthesis, repair, and replication, which are all fundamental to sustain human life.

“It also plays a well-defined role in foetal development, where it helps the neural tube develop into the brain and spine.

“And we know that both folate and riboflavin play an important role in a cycle called one-carbon metabolism, which is responsible for removing a nasty amino acid called homocysteine from the body.

“High homocysteine levels have been linked to a number of different diseases, including cardiovascular disease, dementia and depression to name but a few. 

“If you are deficient in either riboflavin or folate, this can cause a breakdown in this cycle, leading to elevated homocysteine levels, predisposing you to increased disease risk.”

Initially, people deficient in folate will usually experience extreme tiredness, a lack of energy, weakness, shortness of breath, and neurological issues, like problems with memory and a change in temperament. 

“If left untreated for long periods, it can lead to increased risk of cognitive dysfunction and dementia,” Dr Jarrett said. 

“Depression can also arise from folate deficiency, with one study showing that those with the lowest levels of blood folate had almost an 80 per cent increased risk of depression.

“It has also been proven beyond doubt that optimising folate levels can prevent neural tube defects, including spina bifida.

“These conditions lead to either death of the foetus or life-changing disabilities. 

“Low vitamin B6 levels have been linked to a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and depression and anxiety.”

WHO IS MOST AT RISK?

Anyone who doesn’t hit the target B vitamin intake is at risk of complications.

But some people are more prone than others, according to Dr Jarrett.

He said: “The body cannot produce these fundamental nutrients and therefore, the main reason deficiencies arise is through inadequate intake from the diet or lack of supplementation. 

“The primary food sources of riboflavin are milk and dairy products, so people unable to consume these foods, like those who are lactose intolerant or vegan, will have a much lower intake, leading to a greater risk of deficiency.

“Evidence also suggests that certain conditions may increase your risk, including alcoholism, diabetes and anorexia.”

If you don’t think you are hitting your B-vitamin requirements, which could very likely be the case for riboflavin and folate, consider supplementation

Dr Harry Jarrett

At particular risk are pregnant women and older people. 

“This is because during pregnancy, the body’s requirement for folate increases to support the healthy development of the foetus,” Dr Jarrett said. 

“The NHS recommends taking 400micrograms of folic acid (synthetic form of folate) every day before and during the first three months of pregnancy to top-up the mother’s folate supplies.

“Also, as we age, our risk of folate deficiency increases, believed to be due to declining intake and malabsorption issues.”

But he added: “However, a large proportion of the UK population are riboflavin deficient, regardless of age and health status, and thus the deficiency pandemic is a population-wide problem.”

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK

The easiest thing you can do is eat more foods containing high levels of B vitamins.

Dr Jarrett said: “For riboflavin, increasing consumption of milk and dairy products will improve your intake, and eating more green leafy vegetables will help with folate levels.”

But it’s not always that simple. 

“For many in the population who cannot consume such foods, including lactose intolerant people, vegans or simply those who actively avoid dairy products, this is not possible,” he added.

“And the natural form of folate in foods is highly unstable, particularly during cooking, which substantially reduces the folate content before it’s even reached your mouth.”

The next best thing? Try fortified.

“Some cereals and plant-based milks have these vitamins added to them,” Dr Jarrett said.

“However, riboflavin fortification is not mandatory in the UK and only certain foods are required to be fortified with folic acid (man-made folate).

“My best advice is: if you don’t think you are hitting your B-vitamin requirements, which could very likely be the case for riboflavin and folate, consider supplementation. 

“There are many supplements available but as a scientist, I would only trust supplements that have been clinically tested and proven to improve nutrient biomarker status (how much of the vitamin is available in the body).”