Vitamin B12 - Is it What You Are Missing?
If you are experiencing symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, depression, memory loss, signs of dementia, chronic pain, fibromyalgia or MS type issues, vitamin B12 might be just what you are in need of. Though largely overlooked, it is not uncommon to be deficient in B12 with the above symptoms presenting themselves if that is the case. Unfortunately, if you visit your doctor complaining of these issues, you are likely to be sent home with a prescription for antidepressants and painkillers. Many doctors would not think to first simply test levels of B12 which if low, can easily be corrected with supplementation.
What causes Vitamin B12 deficiency?
Adults over the age of 50 are typically the people considered most likely to have B12 deficiencies due to impaired absorption issues of the gut. However as more and more of the population falls victim to gut damage due to poor diet, medications, or chronic stress, a decreased ability to absorb crucial nutrients is likely creating a larger population of people suffering from B12 deficiency.
Other causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency-
Heavy alcohol use
Dysbiosis (imbalance of gut microbes)
Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease
Taking certain drugs like Metformin or PPI’s (Prilosec, Nexium)
Autoimmune disorders such as Pernicious Anemia or Celiac disease
Abstaining from animal products such as with a vegan or vegetarian diet (B12 is only found in animal products so if you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet supplementing with B12 is something you should consider.)
Optimal vs Normal
There are those in the field who agree that in the U.S. the “normal” levels of B12 (between 200pg/mL and 350pg/mL) are too low. This low “normal” standard leaves many people with undiagnosed B12 deficiencies along with frightening symptoms that could be easily solved if they were flagged deficient in the first place.
“Most cases of Alzheimer’s dementia are actually missed B12 deficiency cases, because of the too-low normal range for B12,” states John V. Dommisse, MD.
Sally Pacholok, author of “Could it be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses” recommends treating for B12 deficiency if your B12 levels are below 450 ng/L as she also considers the US standard to be too low. In Japan where the standard lab levels of B12 are much higher at 500-550pg/L, the incidence of Alzheimer’s and dementia are much lower than in the US. See figures HERE
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms you feel can be attributed to low B12 be sure to work off of the higher recommended lab levels for normal, between 450 - 500pg/L.
Where do I find vitamin B12?
B12 (cobalamin) comes from animal sources and is not found in plants. Think fish, meat, liver, eggs and dairy. However, if nutrient malabsorption is an issue for you then supplementing is probably the way to go. If you are going to supplement B12 look for methylcobalamin as it is considered to be the most readily absorbed form of the vitamin. Sublingual B12 or sprays allow the vitamin to get to work without having to make it’s way through the digestive process so these are good options.
I hope this information encourages you to be proactive in regards to your health and symptoms you are experiencing. If you feel your symptoms or those of a loved one could be due to B12 deficiency, ask your doctor for a blood test or order your own HERE .