What do all of these chronic diseases have in common?
- Alzheimer’s, dementia, cognitive decline, and memory loss (collectively referred to as “aging”)
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological disorders
- Mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and psychosis
- Cardiovascular disease
- Learning or developmental disorders in kids
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Autoimmune disease and immune dysregulation
- Cancer
- Male and female infertility
Answer: Their signs and symptoms can all be mimicked by a vitamin B12 deficiency.
An Invisible Epidemic
B12 deficiency isn’t a bizarre, mysterious disease. It’s written about in every medical textbook, and its causes and effects are well-established in the scientific literature.
However, the condition is far more common than most healthcare practitioners and the general public realize. Data from a Tufts University study suggests that 40 percent of people between the ages of 26 and 83 have plasma B12 levels in the low normal range—a range at which many experience neurological symptoms. Nine percent had an outright nutrient deficiency, and 16 percent exhibited “near deficiency.” Most surprising to the researchers was the fact that low B12 levels were as common in younger people as they were in the elderly. (1)
That said, this type of deficiency has been estimated to affect about 40 percent of people over 60 years of age. It’s entirely possible that at least some of the symptoms we attribute to “normal” aging—such as memory loss, cognitive decline, and decreased mobility—are at least in part caused by a deficiency.
Why Is It Underdiagnosed?
This is why most studies underestimate true levels of deficiency. Many deficient people have so-called “normal” levels of B12.
Yet, it is well-established in the scientific literature that people with B12 levels between 200 pg/mL and 350 pg/mL—levels considered “normal” in the U.S.—have clear vitamin deficiency symptoms. (2) Experts who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a deficiency, like Sally Pacholok, R.N., and Jeffrey Stuart, D.O., suggest treating all patients that are symptomatic and have B12 levels less than 450 pg/mL. (3) They also recommend treating patients who show normal B12 levels but also have elevated urinary methylmalonic acid (MMA), homocysteine, or holotranscobalamin, which are other markers of a deficiency in vitamin B12.
B12 deficiency can mimic the signs of Alzheimer’s, dementia, multiple sclerosis, and several mental illnesses. Find out what this vitamin does and learn how to treat a deficiency. #B12 #B12deficiency #cognitivedecline
In Japan and Europe, the lower limit for B12 is between 500 and 550 pg/mL. Those levels are associated with psychological and behavioral symptoms, such as:
- Cognitive decline
- Dementia
- Memory loss (4)
Some experts have speculated that the acceptance of higher levels as normal in Japan and the willingness to treat levels considered “normal” in the U.S. explain the low rates of Alzheimer’s and dementia in that country.
What Is Vitamin B12 and Why Do You Need It?
Vitamin B12 works together with folate in the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells. It’s also involved in the production of the myelin sheath around the nerves and the conduction of nerve impulses. You can think of the brain and the nervous system as a big tangle of wires. Myelin is the insulation that protects those wires and helps them to conduct messages.
Severe B12 deficiency in conditions like pernicious anemia (an autoimmune condition where the body destroys intrinsic factor, a protein necessary for the absorption of the vitamin) used to be fatal until scientists figured out death could be prevented by feeding patients raw liver, which contains high amounts of B12. But anemia is the final stage of a deficiency. Long before anemia sets in, deficient patients will experience several other problems, including fatigue, lethargy, weakness, memory loss, and neurological and psychiatric problems.
The Stages of a Deficiency
B12 deficiency occurs in four stages, beginning with declining blood levels of the vitamin (stage I), progressing to low cellular concentrations of the vitamin (stage II), an increased blood level of homocysteine and a decreased rate of DNA synthesis (stage III), and finally, macrocytic anemia (stage IV). (5)
Common B12 Deficiency Symptoms
The signs can look like the symptoms of several other serious disorders, and the neurological effects of low B12 can be especially troubling.
Here are some of the most common vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms:
- Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
- Brain fog, confusion, and memory problems
- Depression
- Premature aging
- Cognitive decline
- Anemia
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Constipation
- Trouble balancing (6)
Children can also show symptoms, including developmental issues and learning disabilities if their B12 levels are too low.
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Why Is It So Common?
The absorption of B12 is complex and involves several steps—any of which can go wrong. Any of the following can cause B12 malabsorption:
- Intestinal dysbiosis
- Leaky gut and gut inflammation
- Atrophic gastritis or hypochlorhydria, or low stomach acid
- Pernicious anemia
- Medications, especially proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and other acid-suppressing drugs
- Alcohol
- Exposure to nitrous oxide, during either surgery or recreational use
This explains why a deficiency can occur even in people eating large amounts of B12-containing animal products. In fact, many of my patients that are B12 deficient are following a Paleo diet where they eat meat two or three times daily.
Who Is at Risk for a Deficiency?
In general, the following groups are at greatest risk for a deficiency:
- Vegetarians and vegans
- People aged 60 or over
- People who regularly use PPIs or acid-suppressing drugs
- People on diabetes drugs like metformin
- People with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac, or IBS
- Women with a history of infertility and miscarriage
Note to Vegetarians and Vegans: B12 Is Found Only in Animal Products
You cannot get B12 from plant-based sources. This vitamin is only found in animal products. That’s why vegetarians and vegans need to know the signs of deficiency—and the steps necessary to fix the problem.
A common myth among vegetarians and vegans is that it’s possible to get B12 from plant sources like:
- Fermented soy
- Spirulina
- Brewers yeast
However, plant foods said to contain B12 actually contain B12 analogs called cobamides that block the intake of and increase the need for true B12. (7) That explains why studies consistently demonstrate that up to 50 percent of long-term vegetarians and 80 percent of vegans are deficient in B12. (8, 9)
Seaweed is another commonly cited plant source of B12, but this idea is controversial. Research indicates that there may be important differences in dried versus raw purple nori; namely, raw nori may be a good source of B12, while dried nori may not be. One study indicated that the drying process used for seaweed creates B12 analogs, making it a poor source of the vitamin, while animal research suggests that dried nori can correct a B12 deficiency. (10, 11) Seaweed may provide B12, but it’s not clear if those benefits are negated when that seaweed is dried. I recommend caution for that reason.
The Impact of a Deficiency on Children
The effects of B12 deficiency on kids are especially alarming. Studies have shown that kids raised until age six on a vegan diet are still B12 deficient even years after they start eating at least some animal products. In one study, the researchers found an association between a child’s B12 status and their performance on testing measuring:
- Spatial ability
- Fluid intelligence
- Short-term memory
Researchers found that formerly vegan children scored lower than their omnivorous counterparts in each area. (12)
The deficit in fluid intelligence is particularly troubling, the researchers said, because this area impacts a child’s ability to reason, work through complex problems, learn, and engage in abstract thinking. Defects in any of these areas could have long-term consequences for kids.
I recognize that there are many reasons why people choose to eat the way they do, and I respect people’s right to make their own choices. I also know that, like all parents, vegetarians and vegans want the best for their children. This is why it’s absolutely crucial for those that abstain from animal products to understand that there are no plant sources of B12 and that all vegans and most vegetarians should supplement with B12.
This is especially important for vegetarian or vegan children or pregnant women, whose need for B12 is even greater. If you’re not willing to take a dietary supplement, it may be time to think twice about your vegetarian or vegan diet.
How to Treat a Deficiency
One of the greatest tragedies of the B12 epidemic is that diagnosis and treatment are relatively easy and cheap—especially when compared to the treatment patients will need if they’re in a late stage of deficiency. A B12 test can be performed by any laboratory, and it should be covered by insurance. If you don’t have insurance, you can order it yourself from a lab like DirectLabs.com.
As always, adequate treatment depends on the underlying mechanism causing the problem. People with pernicious anemia or inflammatory gut disorders like Crohn’s disease are likely to have impaired absorption for their entire lives and will likely require B12 injections or high-dose oral cobalamin indefinitely. This may also be true for those with a severe deficiency that’s causing neurological symptoms.
Typically in the past, most B12 experts recommended injections over high-dose oral cobalamin for people with pernicious anemia and an advanced deficiency involving neurological symptoms. However, recent studies have suggested that high-dose oral or nasal administration may be as effective as injections for those with B12 malabsorption problems. (13, 14)
Try Supplementing
Japanese studies indicate that methylcobalamin is even more effective in treating neurological symptoms and that it may be better absorbed because it bypasses several potential problems in the B12 absorption cycle. (15, 16) On top of that, methylcobalamin provides the body with methyl groups that play a role in various biological processes important to overall health.
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Change Your Diet
Nourishing your body through whole food is the best way to get the vitamins and nutrients you need. If you’re low on B12, try eating some vitamin-rich foods like:
- Liver
- Shellfish
- Clams
- Oysters
- Organ Meats
Eating other kinds of seafood, like octopus, fish eggs, lobster, and crab, can also help you attain normal B12 levels. If you’re seafood-averse, you can also get this vitamin from:
- Lamb
- Beef
- Eggs
- Cheese
It’s important to note, though, that the amount of B12 in these foods is nowhere near as high as the levels in shellfish and organ meats.
What to Do if You’re Experiencing Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms
If you suspect you have a deficiency, the first step is to get tested. You need an accurate baseline to work from.
If you are B12 deficient, the next step is to identify the mechanism causing the deficiency. You’ll probably need help from a medical practitioner for this part. Once the mechanism is identified, the appropriate form (injection, oral, sublingual, or nasal) of supplementation, the dose, and the length of treatment can be selected.
So, next time you or someone you know is “having a senior moment,” remember: It might not be “just aging.” It could be B12 deficiency.
I got b12 shots monthly for 3 years because pills didn’t help. Then I was diagnosed with Celiac disease and eliminated Gluten. I now absorb the 1000 milligram b12 pills. I am not as anemic as I was either. I had no classic symptoms of Celiac. Luckily my hematologist had me get a colonoscopy/endoscopy. I do miss the shots though. I felt great for a few days after.
It took a long time to get diagnosed with both Hashimoto’s and Celiacs. A lot of doctors told me I was depressed–made me feel great–until I started with the numb feet and hands. Be persistent! Ask for tests! The blood test for Celiac disease said I didn’t have it, but the biopsy confirmed it. Because of lack of symptoms I would never have had a correct diagnosis.
this article would not have helped me one bit.. I admit I am tired and maybe missed it..but what about the genetic mutation where the body does not convert B12..which I have. I was taking tons of methyl b12..like 50,000 iu a day ( no you cant overdose on it I work with a savvy nutritionist along with a stellar functional MD team ) , my blood test showed high levels..( my NASA dr says the typical blood test is useless and pulls a different test ) ..now I am on methyl folate.
Hi Jenn,
Which genetic mutation do you have. Do you know as it makes a difference as to which bit of the intracellular processing is incorrect? If you are still tired and yet are taking 5MTHF and methylB12, you probably should also take Adenosyl B12. It helps processing of fats and odd chain amino acids for energy. Lack of AdenosylB12 also leads to mitochondrial disease. Have you had your vitamin D levels checked? Low vitamin D is also associated with poor mitochondrial function. This would also lead to being tired, lacking energy, etc. Now if you were hypothyroidic on top of that you would be very low in energy.
I have been getting a B12 shot since April 1996 every month. I had to move recently due to my company closing and offering relocation. I don’t understand as to why each time I move the new doctor I find wants to take me off the B12 shot when my original doctor stated I would need it the rest of my life. So the new doctor had me do lab work from the last time I had my shot which was 1 month and 1 week from my last shot I was only a week overdue as I go the same time each month first tuesday of every month and my levels showed that I was in the normal range so he’ll want to discuss stopping my shots.
There are lots of people that are probably B12 defient. I was diagnosed in my late 30’s and have nerve damage in my feet and lower calfs. My nerologist diagnosed me. He only found part of the puzzle. I was recently diagnosed with a gene mutation MTHFR A1298C which is part of the cause of the B12 deficiency. It also has to do with not being able to process Folic Acid and methelation.
Is taking 1500mcg of mecobalamin safe while in ttc phase.?During my miscarriage I was diagnosed with b12 deficiency but it was not a genetic one.I have been taking 1500mcg of mecobalamin for the last 3 to four month should I continue it while ttc?Please advice.
I visited with my family doctor today because I’ve been feeling crummy lately — hot and cold flashes, confusion, and other mental symptoms, like not being able to articulate simple thoughts, stuttering, forgetting the route to a familiar destination, etc. Just got my labs back and my B-12 level was 325. I’m in my 50’s, happily married, working full time in a job that requires sharp analytical thinking and we have an elementary aged child. Feeling befuddled and inept is not “normal” for me, but 325 is a normal B-12 level according to my doctor. What should my next step be?
Hi Summer,
Serum vitamin B12 is not necessarily the whole answer, although it is a good start. For you mental processing you need methylation, which requires both folate and vitamin B12. You could get your intracellular folate analysed, as this is pretty indicative. Also you need your vitamin D levels to be above 100. All these add to methylation and mitochondrial function.
Madge,
Since the followers of this forum are international, sometimes this creates confusion when referring to lab values. In the USA, the Vitamin D form of 25(OH) D is specified as ng/ml. I believe the Australians use nmol/l. 2.5 x ng/ml = 1 nmol/l. >100 ng/ml is considered excessive, so your recommendation of >100 could get someone in trouble if they don’t know what units you’re using.
Furthermore, based on new Vitamin D research, Chris Kresser has lowered his recommended Vitamin D level down to a range of 25 to 50, with a target of 35. He explains why here: http://chriskresser.com/surprising-new-vitamin-d-research-the-myth-of-multi-tasking-and-how-the-internet-is-rewiring-our-brains.
Lynn,
You are absolutely right about the confusion with units. I don’t know why, but you would think that the world could agree on units.
As for recommendations, I don’t know why Kris would reduce the recommended values. Experiments with mitochondrial energy production have shown that it still increasing above 100 nmol/L (40 ng/ml, 16 IU/ml) .There is some info at http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/ . I note there that they are suggesting that the maximum you should have is 125nm/L (50 ng/ml).
Chris Kresser does not know it all..I glean from him what I don’t get from my functional MD top docs..Vitamin D council is increasing their RDA.. I take 5,000 iu a day just to be in range..verified via genomics testing that I don’t convert it well.
I forget to say Chris’ target range recommendation for 25(OH) D is 25-50 ng/ml.
Summer,
The Japanese use 500 as their lower threshold for normal for Vit B12. The USA lower limit for normal is much too low.
Furthermore, the Vit B12 test measures the total of both the active and inactive components of Vit B12, the transcobalamin and haptocorrin, respectively. Your level of 325 doesn’t tell you if you have enough of the active transcobalamin.
I suggest you start supplementing methylcobalamin and/or adenosylcobalamin and see if you feel better. You can get them in sublingual forms. Avoid pills – because B12 is such a large molecule, only 1% of it is absorbed orally. However, the product I have found that gave me much greater benefit was a topical oil from b12oils.com. It comes in a light shielded pump. One pump dispenses a bright cherry red oil-based liquid that rubs into the skin in less than a minute.
Your symptoms could well be due to something other than low B-12. But taking supplemental B12 and possibly a folate like Metafolin or L-5-MTHF (not folic acid) will help you rule out if a lack of it is the culprit. Your body will excrete whatever it doesn’t need, no harm done.
I agree with both Madge and Lynn about the unit story. Not so sure about the vitamin D levels though. There are many studies showing that you can better resist diabetes and can lower your blood pressure if you have higher vitamin D. Similarly vitamin D is essential for neuronal health, for mitochondrial function and immune function. The problem with ultra high vitamin D can be serum calcium levels. Several studies have used vitamin D at 20,000 IU/day with no side effects. This is further complicated if you have VDR mutations where you may want to consider having your levels at least 100 nmol/L as you are having trouble getting the vitamin D into the cell.
Thanks, all, for your response. I didn’t mention in my initial post that both my mother and younger sister are B12 deficient and receive regular injections. When my sister was diagnosed several years ago her levels were close to 0 and she’d already suffered permanent neurological damage. That’s just to explain my quick focus on B12 as a possible cause of my symptoms, especially after finding this article. Thanks again for your good information and suggestions!
Thanks, Madge. Just got more lab results back and learned my Vitamin D is 18. My doc put me on 50k 1/wk supplements for 6 months to be rechecked then. He’s still not concerned about my B12, but maybe boosting the Vit D will help. Thanks again for your good advice.
Hi Summer, glad that you got some possible explanation for your problem. You should also get your thyroid hormone levels tested as they can also cause problems if you are hypothyroidic, which many woman are (don’t know it is more with women). Not sure if I would be waiting 6 months for the retest. Anyway see how you go. Good luck
Summer,
Get tested for the MTHFR Gene, it has a slew of causes including mis carriages, mental fog etc.
I am sure there is more to the shortage than just one factory closing but CTV reported: “Sandoz Canada had to close a manufacturing plant in Quebec in February, 2012, to upgrade it to meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards. The only other injectable B12 manufacturer in Canada tried to pick up the slack from the closure, but there has been too much demand to catch up, leading to shortages across Canada and the U.S.”
http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/health-headlines/vitamin-b12-users-hit-by-shortages-1.1732525#ixzz30KZxg7zw
Trouble getting a hold of B12 for himself and seeing stories like this one was the motivation for finding a source and making it available to others.
Currently we are only offering Cyanocobalamin, but are looking into branching out as we grow.
As for getting a correct diagnosis – I can only speak for myself in saying it is very hard to get more than 10 minutes with a doctor so it is not surprising it takes some doing to get good treatment!
Thanks for the update. At least you can still get the topical Ado/MeCbl mix from b12oils.com definitely a better product than cyanocobalamin. You might want to try that.
For full disclosure I’ll start by saying I have a business that sells injectable B12. There is a shortage in north america, so we have open up to sell off shore B12. If you are under the care of a doctor and are having trouble sourcing B12 injections give us a try: vitaminb12direct.com
hi Stephen,
Thank you for letting us know. What form of vitamin B12 do you currently sell for injection? In addition, do you know why suddenly there is a shortage of injectable vitamin B12? It appears, if you monitor this post, that it is actually very hard to get Physicians to actually diagnose B12 deficiency. Is this changing?
Since most doctors received only about 12 hours of education in nutrition (which they can opt out of) why would you be surprised that Physicians can’t diagnose B12 deficiency? HOW would it change unless they get the education?
California is the first state in the union to make substantial nutritional education mandatory in its medical schools and that was as of January 1 of 2013!
We are living in the dark ages when it comes to nutrition impacting our health. We need to fend for ourselves…. doctors tend to believe only what they learned in school. I guess we all do and thats the problem.
My physician completed medical school at least 20 years ago. Just like any of professional, they should be keeping up their continuing education on their own. Everyone here seems to know a great deal about nutrition, and none of us went to medical school. If we can learn it on our own, then so can our physicians.
Recent GP blood tests show I have low B12, but a test for antibodies proved negative. I have none of the usual causal factors, although my alcohol consumption is higher than the recommended levels. My liver functions test good. I have suffered depression and severe anxiety for many years, and in my 50’s have exhaustion, muscle weakness, poor memory, etc. I am furious that when diagnosed with iron anaemia three years ago, no B12 test was done. I now have those years (and maybe many years before them) in which I may have been accruing neurological damage, and fear this will now predispose me to dementia. I have my present GP (retiring) to thank for investigating my symptoms and discovering my B12 deficiency, although the cause is presently unclear. From my mid 30’s onwards, I drank because I was anxious. I may have been more anxious than average (in the circumstances) because I was low on B12. A dangerous spiral. Why did nobody shoot me full of B12 and warn me about what might be going on? My new GP, consulted today, alerted me to the serious nature of my deficiency, but even she needed to postpone diagnosis until she could take time out to look at possible causes. I await her call……..
I am 47 years old and I haven’t eat animal protein for almost 3 months. I do take Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 5000 mcg Nuggets from Solgar .
I just had my B12 and Folate tested and the results were 711 pg/ml and Folate was 6.0 ng/ml.
Do these numbers seem good to you? Thank you
Very interesting article on B12. I want to show it to my doc. Can you tell me what the recommended daily dose is for B12? I am 66 years old and I take 2 (500 mcg) of the Wal-Mart Spring Valley brand B12. It is the ONLY brand I absorb and I cannot take the 1000 mcg size, as I do not absorb it. I also take 2000 IU of Vit D daily. My D levels drop every winter.
Thank you.
I have problems keeping adequate B12. In the past I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia. Recently I had DNA tests and was diagnosed with Hemochromatosis. This is usuallly associated with low levels B vitamins and some of the other symptoms mentioned in this article.
robstc,
In addition to various blends of adenosylB12 and/or methylB12 and/or hydroxylB12, you can also get a pump of transdermal adenosylB12, all by itself, from http://b12oils.com. Maybe that is the answer you’ve been looking for.
To the webmaster of this site:
It’s impossible to post more than what fits in the comment box. When I write more than that, everything I had written disappears. I have to refresh the website and then scroll through all the comments to get to the comment box again. It’s like being forced to do short tweets when commenting.
robsct, the transdermoil is available at b12oils.com. HydroxyB12 is not a substitute for adenoB12. After taking sublingual mB12 for years, I felt a real boost when I added subl adenoB12, and even more when I started the transdermoil. With shots, you get peaks and valleys. With transdermoil, you get consistent dosing. Your fears are baseless.
robsct,
The transdermoil adeno/methyl B12, or hydro/methyl B12, whichever you chose, is theoretically equal in efficacy to subcutaneous injections and probably superior to IM injections. You don’t need a prescription. None of the hassles you report. What’s not to like?
Hi Lynn_M. One problem is that I am not familiar with those products and I have a limited budget to be trying new stuff with. I am worried I would pay big bucks for them and they would not work. I don’t mind the shots and it just seems easier to give myself a shot and I’m done. I have read about the patches although I can’t find any adeno patches. http://www.drdavidspatches.com/b-12-mega-patches/ I would try these other products if I can’t get the shot form. I’d appreciate any links to products you like so I can see what’s available.
I have had a heck of a time getting the B-12 injections I need after the cyanocabalimin stopped working. I have decided that my liver has stopped using it because it can no longer remove the cyanide molecule and convert the raw B-12 into the two usable forms. I have gotten the methyl and tried it but it doesn’t give me the energy boost I used to get. I was told I needed the other form also which is adenosylcobalamin but you can’t get that in an injectable form in the US. I found out from a compounding pharmacist that some doctors are using hydroxycobalamin with the methyl for their patients. But I am having a hard time getting my dr to write the necessary prescription for it because she thinks it’s a restricted substance in the US also. The pharmacist says it is not. When I finally get it and use it I will report on how it works. I hope it solves the problem of my low B-12. Since I have had the cyanocabalimin stop working I have had most of my symptoms return over a period of several months (as I have been getting the methyl and trying it) and I can hardly drag myself out of bed again like it used to be. I don’t want to use oils, creams or patches or sprays if I can get shots.
Hi Robsct, very interesting about how the cyanocobalamin is not working. I have been following another discussion on another site and this seems to be more common than doctors realize. You are right about removing the cyanide molecule, you need a strongly reducing environment to reduce the cobalt from Co(III) to Co(I) oxidation state. If your intracellular glutathione levels (GSH) are very low you can’t do this. Now it is quite likely that you won’t be able to do this with the hydroxycobalamin either. The problem you will have is that unless your doctor is “hip” to this, you are going to have problems as when they measure your serum B12 levels they will now appear normal as they don’t differentiate what type of B12 you have. To get your energy boost you will need both the adenosyl and methyl (the natural forms) forms of B12. If you want I can try to find the scientific references to support this. It may help you deal with the doctor, although I am not sure if they will allow me to post them.
Hi Greg, I’ve been told by the pharmacist at the compounding pharmacy I am dealing with that the hydroxycobalamin does not have the cyanide molecule and some drs are using that with the methyl because the adenosylcobalamin is not available even with a prescription. If that is the case then I don’t see why my body wouldn’t be able to use it. I’d appreciate any info you have on this issue. I am going to try it if I can get it.
Hi Robst, you raise many issues with your question. In Europe, both methyl and adenosyl are freely available as food supplements, injections etc. People are moving away from CN-Cbl as a high percentage of people can’t use it. Whilst OHCbl can be used by the body in normal individuals, in those that are really deficient and have low GSH levels it is very poorly used. Further it competes for uptake into the cells making the situation worse. The actual analogues you use in the body are adenosyl and methyl forms of B12. These are the forms that you get from food. They are both available from b12oils.com.
Anyone have bad bouts of canker sores as a result of B-12 deficiency?
Hi Finndian,
If you check/search on the site you will see that this has been reported before. It is not well known, but apparently it is reported before. Does anyone know why it causes it?
i just got my lab results back from the Dr. and they said i was “low” on my B12. i didn’t get the numbers, however, after reading this article i decided to get the shots. i suffer from occasional migraines mostly but also feel fatigued throughout the day. I am 30 years old and seem to have those “senior moments” quite often as well. i also have had random blackouts- i suffered one just a few days ago, don’t remember a thing but i banged myself up pretty bad. i’ve had blood sugar and thyroid tests- and blood work comes back normal except for being low on b12, vitamin d and sodium. Are blackouts/ fainting spells another symptom of low b12? i even got a cat scan and they didn’t find anything.. i have also been consuming frozen liver “pills” daily and i have been pretty 80/20 paleo for about a year.
do you thing the injections will be a good avenue to try?
thanks for your time!
alicia
Hi Alicia,
If you have been eating paleo and eating liver, it may be that you are having absorption problems, maybe you have pernicious anemia, which would mean that you can’t absorb B12 well. You should get some relief from the injections, but if you have PA you will have to take them for life, or get onto the B12 oils. Let us know how you go.
I have 110pg. How bad is it?