BENEFITS: Research has revealed multiple health benefits to vitamin B12.
Methylation. Vitamin B12�along with folic acid and other B vitamins�plays an essential role in methylation, which is needed to replicate genes and regulate their activity, protect against cardiovascular diseases, and make neurotransmitters and phospholipids.
Cardiovascular Diseases. Low levels of vitamin B12 lead to increases in blood levels of methylmalonic acid, which may boost the risk of heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer�s disease. To protect yourself, take a supplement with vitamins B12 and B6, and folic acid.
Gene Protector. People with low levels of vitamin B12 experience a high rate of gene damage, which accelerates cell aging and increases the risk of cancer. Michael Fenech, PhD, a researcher at Australia�s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, found that supplemental B12 and folic acid could reduce gene damage.
Mood Booster. Experiencing a �down day� or the �blues,� but not serious enough to call it depression? Some physicians recommend 500 mg of L-tyrosine combined with 500 mcg of sublingual vitamin B12.
Mental Health. Low levels of vitamin B12 are considered a type of �nutritional anemia� that may result in fatigue, mental fuzziness, and symptoms of senility. Every person with Alzheimer�s symptoms should be tested for a B12 deficiency�or simply be given sublingual tablets to see if they ease symptoms. Low vitamin B12 levels are common among people with early forms of Alzheimer�s.
BACKGROUND CHECK: Some drugs interfere with the absorption or assimilation of vitamin B12, setting the stage for often-unrecognized deficiencies. These include heartburn and acid-blocking medications, antibiotics, and oral contraceptives. Nitrous oxide, often used in anesthesia, destroys vitamin B12. A study described in the British Medical Journal found that the longer people with diabetes took the drug metformin, the more likely they were to experience a B12 deficiency.
CLINICAL PEARL: Japanese doctors treated six multiple sclerosis patients by injecting them with 60 mg of B12 (a massive dose) daily for six months. Although the patients� muscle function didn�t improve, their visual and hearing problems did.
GLEANINGS: Traditionally, B12 deficiency is identified by noting the presence of megaloblastic anemia, in which red blood cells are abnormally enlarged. But this change occurs only after years of vitamin B12 deficiency. A more useful test measures methylmalonic acid, which rises when �functional� levels of B12 are low.
HEADS UP: A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that large amounts of supplemental vitamin B12 are needed to correct a deficiency. The vitamin depends on a molecule called �intrinsic factor� for absorption through the gut. Sublingual B12 seems to work as well as injections and bypass the need for intrinsic factor.
This is what I have been using, its 10mg per injection and its very effective. At first I took one daily for several days. Then I use one injection per month.
Not this particular product, but an american product where I took 1mg daily really helped me with a muscle/nerve injury in backside that caused siatica a couple of years ago when physical therapy did little after several months of it.
B12 injections should be given with all diseases that affect the nerves, as well as injuries where nerves may have been stressed physically.
Most doctors have no idea about the vast array of symptoms that low Vitamin B12 can cause. "Could It Be B12"is one of the most comprehensive books on this subject written by an RN, who had practical experience of how doctors frequently where ignorant in diagnosing this problem.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is a public health crisis that even most doctors don�t know exists. Millions suffer from it, but few are diagnosed. Left untreated, it causes permanent, crippling nerve damage�and too many patients don�t get treatment until it�s too late.
Only one book has ever revealed the full extent of this silent epidemic and taken a principled stand against the medical establishment�s indifference. That book became an underground classic that ordinary patients passed to one another and discussed among themselves, and grew into a movement that every year draws more and more patients to take control of their own diagnoses and find the truth. And now, in a second edition that is revised, updated and expanded with the latest scientific findings, Could It Be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses (Quill Driver Books, February 2011) by Sally M. Pacholok, R.N., B.S.N., and Jeffrey J. Stuart, D.O., remains the most authoritative guide to vitamin B12 deficiency.
What is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is one of the 13 vitamins our body needs for health and life. It is essential for the production of red blood cells and aids in the maintenance of a healthy nervous system. B12 deficiency damages the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and nerves of the eye. It is a crucial element in the construction of DNA. A B12 deficiency can result in symptoms ranging from severe anemia requiring blood transfusions, to serious and permanent nerve damage. B12 is found naturally in animal foods including meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, dairy products, and eggs. Vitamin B12 must follow a complex pathway of several steps for proper absorption. A roadblock in any part of this pathway can cause malabsorption and subsequent deficiency.
The History of Vitamin B12
In 1934, Whipple, Murphy, and Minot shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their life saving discovery found in liver. The disorder was referred to as �pernicious anemia� because before this discovery, death was inevitable. In 1948, the substance in liver was isolated and named cobalamin (vitamin B12).
The Incidence of B12 Deficiency
B12 deficiency is common and reported to affect 25% of the U.S. population. It strikes up to 15% (5.9 million) older adults > age 64. The CDC reports, one out of every 31 Americans > age 50 are B12 deficient. This report underestimates the incidence by using a cut-off range far too low. The incidence in infants and children is unknown, which is problematic.
Who to Test and Who is at Risk?
�Neurologic or motor symptoms
�Mental status changes
�Dementia or Alzheimer�s disease
�Psychiatric disorders
�Gastrointestinal disorders
�Gastrointestinal surgeries
�Gastric bypass
�Anemia
�Elevated MCV
�Age 60 and over
�Vegans
�Vegetarians, macrobiotic diets
�Autoimmune disorders
�Developmental delay
�Autism spectrum
�Breast fed infants of mothers at risk
�Eating disorders
�Family history of pernicious anemia
�Metformin use
�Occlusive vascular disorders (MI, CVA, DVT, PE)
What are the Causes of B12 Deficiency?
�Decreased stomach acid
�Atrophic gastritis
�Autoimmune pernicious anemia
�Helicobacter pylori
�Gastrectomy, intestinal resection
�Gastric bypass surgery
�Malabsorption syndromes
�Crohn�s disease
�Celiac disease (gluten enteropathy)
�Chronic pancreatitis
�Bacterial overgrowth (small bowel)
�Fish tapeworm
�Alcoholism
�Malnutrition�Eating disorders
�Vegetarianism
�Advanced liver disease
�Transcobalamin II deficiency
�Inborn errors of B12 metabolism
�Certain drugs
Neurologic signs and symptoms:
�Numbness�tingling
�Weakness of legs, arms, trunk
�Impaired vibration�position sense
�Abnormal reflexes
�Unsteady or abnormal gait
�Balance problems
�Dizziness
�Tremor
�Restless legs
�Visual disturbances
�Forgetfulness, memory loss
�Dementia
�Impotence
�Urinary or fecal incontinence
Hematologic signs and symptoms:
�Anemia
�Macrocytosis (enlarged red-blood cells)
�Generalized weakness
�Fatigue
�Shortness of breath
�Pallor
Why is B12 Deficiency an Epidemic?
�Knowledge deficit amongst physicians and other health care providers
�Poor or absent screening in symptomatic and at-risk patients
�Current range for �normal� serum B12 test extends far too low
�Lack of use of other sensitive tests to aid in diagnosis (methylmalonic acid)
�Clinicians wait for enlarged red blood cells or macrocytic anemia to be present
�Elderly are frequently misdiagnosed due to increased incidence of preexisting diseases and comorbid conditions
�B12 screening not included in older adults who fall or are at risk for falling
Why Is B12 Deficiency So Frequently Misdiagnosed?
�Most doctors and health care providers don�t know the facts about B12 deficiency.
�Most patients who have B12 deficiency symptoms or are at risk for B12 deficiency never get tested.
�The current standard for �normal� serum B12 levels is actually far too low.
�Doctors frequently don�t diagnose B12 deficiency until the patient has enlarged red blood cells and/or macrocytic anemia�which are often late signs of advanced B12 deficiency.
�People over 65 are frequently misdiagnosed because doctors blame their B12 deficiency symptoms on preexisting diseases and comorbid conditions.
�The current Daily Required Intake (DRI) and Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for B12 health for adults, during pregnancy, and during child growth and development are grossly outdated.
B12 screening is not included for:
�Older adults who fall or are at risk for falling.
�Older adults who have cognitive changes or dementia.
�Patients presenting depression or mental illness.
�Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
More on B12 Deficiency
B12 deficiency causes symptoms such as nerve pain or tingling, dementia, mental illness, tremor and difficulty walking. It is commonly misdiagnosed as Alzheimer�s disease, depression, diabetic neuropathy, vertigo and mini�strokes. Major medical journals report that vitamin B12 deficiency occurs in up to 15 percent of the elderly�approximately 5.9 million seniors age 65 and older. Other studies report the prevalence to be 15 percent to 25 percent.
What�s more, these numbers only relate to persons 65 and older. They don�t include the vast numbers of Americans under the age of 65�some of them infants and children, and millions of them young and middle�aged adults�who become B12 deficient for a variety of reasons. Treating B12 deficiency costs only a few dollars a month�just 10 cents a day�and symptoms are often completely reversible if people receive early treatment. If diagnosed late, symptoms such as dementia and nerve injury typically cannot be reversed.
B12 deficiency can mimic multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome and postpartum depression/psychosis. It can make men or women infertile and cause developmental disabilities or autistic�like symptoms in children. Other groups of people at high risk for B12 deficiency include vegans, vegetarians, alcoholics and people with celiac disease, Crohn�s disease, gastric bypass, anemia, autoimmune diseases and AIDS. The use of certain drugs such as proton pump inhibitors, metformin, H�2 blockers and nitrous oxide can also cause B12 deficiency(Anasthetics).
Some patients stories about B12 deficiency and problems getting doctors to diagnose it.
Found it at a better price here. 10mg injections. I was pleased with this product. When I took methycobalamine injections a few years ago I had a reaction of dizziness with it. With each injection I took it was worse till finally I stopped. Perhaps it was something like a B vitamin rush I don't know but I didn't like it. My doctor had never seen any reactions before. Same thing happened to my neighbor who used cobalamine injections.. This one worked well and I could really feel a difference.
Vitamin B12 for Healthy Aging
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