Vitamin B12

 Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with a risk of depression (especially in older women), with risk of Alzheimers disease, dementia, cardiovascular disease, high homocysteine levels and diabetic complications and also with memory loss, mood swings, excessive tiredness and lack of enthusiasm.
There is also reason to think that vitamin B12 deficiency may affect the auditory pathways and lead to increased incidence of tinnitus.

it is also vital for maintaining methylation reactions that repair DNA. 

Myelin, a protein which constitutes the myelin sheath around nerve cells is created and maintained by methylation reactions that depend on vitamin B12. Degeneration of this protein causes serious neulogical problems as in Multiple Scelerosis.

Neuropathies are strange and sometimes very painful sensations caused by the degeneration of nerves. Vitamin B12 can be very effective in easing this condition. It is also my own observation that people with vitamin B12 deficiency tend to have a lower than usual pain threshold (often complaining of back ache or other aches and pains) and at times very scratchy/itchy eyes.

Vitamin B12 and Folate also have an important role in reducing homocysteine levels. High homocysteine levels are implicated in the occurence of heart attack and stroke. 

It has also been used to treat conditions such as tennis elbow and shingles.

There are a number of reasons why vitamin B12 can be deficient, the most common reason being poor secretion of intrinsic factor (IF). Intrinsic factor is produced by the parietal cells of the stomach mucosa, and is required for the absorption of the vitamin in the small intestine. Poor secretion of intrinsic factor can be brought about by a low acid level (hypochlorydia) in the stomach.
Hypochlorydia can be brought about by the prolonged use of Proton Pump Inhibitors such as omeprazole.
Alcohol can reduce the absorption of dietary cobalamin and can also interfer with the storage of vitamin B12.
Smoking tobacco is also said to reduce storage of B12.
Pernicious anaemia is a specific type of megloblastic anaemia (associated with vitamin B12 deficiency)which occurs as a result of vitamin B12 malabsorption due to intrinsic factor deficiency.

As the majority of B12 is sourced from animal foods including red meats and dairy products people with vegetarian/vegan diets may also be at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Food sources of Vitamin B12 include: organ meats (liver, kidney,heart), egg yolk, salmon, sardines, oysters, clams and miso. 

 Healthy bowel flora also add to the body's vitamin B12 production. If bowel flora is compromised in any way then B12 levels can be also compromised.

Vitamin B12 levels in the blood do not always accurately specify the need for supplementation and many people will benefit from B12 supplementation even if a blood test shows their B12 levels to be so-called 'normal'.

 Vitamin B12 is not well-absorbed from a B complex or a multivitamin tablet and ideally needs to be given by injection. However, capsulated or tableted sublingual forms and appear to work reasonably well if taken on an empty stomach to aid absorption.

 In this Clinic I often prescribe a formula which is a combination of B12 and Potassium Iodide. This formula was originally made for persons with joint pain and reduced mobility but I have found over the years that it works extremely well for many conditions, is well absorbed and well tolerated. I have noticed that while using this preparation most people will experience a huge improvement in energy, enthusiasm for life, general well being and a lessening of anxiety.
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All information on this page has been compiled by Alison Odey from personal research and from results seen and experienced over 20 years in private practice. It is not intended to diagnose or to be construed as medical advice, but to inform the reader of alternative options that may be available to them. Any remedy mentioned in the text can be obtained by contacting the writer:
Contacts: Phone -64 7 5721147   Web site: www.alisonodey.com

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