VITAMIN B12 Deficiency Symptoms
Reversal of neurological damage decrease depending on the length of time the symptoms have been present. Low levels of vitamin B12 can manifest as;
Folate (Folic Acid ) and B12 Vitamin work together synergistically to help support healthy heart function and nervous system.
Half Of The Population May Be Deficient Of Vitamin B12
A study at Tufts University on 2000 revealed that 39% of the study group of 3,000 people had low levels of vitamin B12. The study used the concentration of 258 pmol/l which is 350 pg/ml as a low level definition of vitamin B12.
More recent research has revealed that B12 deficiency may already occur at a much higher concentration at 500–600 pg/ml. Based on these facts, there are reasons to believe that vitamin B12 deficiency affect far greater portion than 39% of the population.
Children and Vitamin B12 deficiency
Children are more vulnerable to develop deficiency while having lower storage of vitamins and greater demand while growing rapidly. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause delayed brain development, slow learning and digestive symptoms in babies if it is not diagnosed and treated early on. Even the low levels that have never been diagnosed as a deficiency can be very detrimental and cause irreversible damage on the brain and nervous system.
Elderly and Vitamin B12 deficiency
Researchers estimate that over half of elderly population is lingering on the verge of being beneficent or are deficient. The Dietary Guidelines released for Americans recommend that people over 50 should get extra vitamin B12 through supplementation. The absorption decreases drastically with age and in presence of gastritis, which is common in elderly. The very late finding in severe depletion of vitamin B12 is called pernicious anemia. Adequate intake of folate can mask vitamin B12 deficiency letting it go undetected for years.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Test
The blood serum tests used to diagnose Vitamin B12 deficiency are not specific to Vitamin B12 and they are not accurate and sensitive enough. Serum homocystein and methylmalonic acid levels are considered more reliable indicators of vitamin B12 deficiency than measuring the concentration of vitamin B12 in blood. Researchers have been developing a low cost more accurate breath test to aid in diagnosis. More accurate and reliable testing methods need to be developed to detect this potentially fatal condition. The fact that B12 vitamin deficiency can be non symptomatic makes the diagnosis and treatment even more problematic.
Water Soluble Vitamins
Being water soluble Vitamin B12 is very hard to overdose, and its safety has been established in 60 years of treatments with high doses and no serious overdose effects. Excess of water soluble vitamin is secreted by the kidneys and disposed in urine.
Vitamin B12 Benefits
Vitamin B12 is a hydrophilic water soluble vitamin that is essential for neurological function, formation of red blood cells, enzymes synthesis and DNA/RNA formation. It is only found in a variety of animal products. A seven year study of 271 Finnish people concluded that vitamin B12 may protect against Alzheimer's disease and memory loss. An other study involving 121 residents in Chicago revealed a link between brain shrinkage, cognitive problems and low levels of Vitamin B12. Pancreatitis, Crohn`s disease and SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) are all linked in literature to higher incidences of vitamin B12 deficiency.
B12 Injections
Severe Vitamin B12 deficiency is treated with subcutaneous or intramuscular B12 injections. All forms listed below can be manufactured as injectable b12 vitamins. Oral supplements are very poorly absorbed and many times waste of money. Sublingual products may perform better. Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin b12 with transdermal patches is an option for continuous release of therapeutic amounts of vitamin B12. The mechanism is well established in pharmaceutical industry and many medications are delivered with this method including hormones, pain killers, and nicotine, etc.
Sublingual Methylcobalamin Vitamin B12 and Active Methyl Folate Chewable Lozenge (Methyl B12 and L-5-MTHF)
Natural K2 Vitamin as MK7 Menaquinone
Chewable Multivitamins Minerals Trace-Minerals Supplement for Kids, Adults and Seniors
Chewable Enzymes for Digestive Enzyme Therapy
Ultra Pure Omega 3 Krill Oil 1000 mg with Astaxanthin
Probiotics for Intense Digestive Support With Colonizing Human Specific Strains
Triphala Churna 1000mg Pure Fruit Extract Gentle Colon Cleanse, Liver Cleanse and Liver Detox Herbal Supplement
Vegetarian D3 Vitamin 5000 IU