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This is my Most Favorite set of articles!
Family Practice News reported on January 1, 2004 that 24%
of people aged 60-69 had deficient levels of serum B12,
defined as under 185 pmol/L.
of people aged 60-69 had deficient levels of serum B12,
defined as under 185 pmol/L.
| Consider this: if someone's B-12 level is 185 at age 60, which is 365 points lower than the Japanese and European low of 550, then how many of their symptoms could have been avoided if their level had not been allowed to get that low? If cognitive process is affected at a B-12 level of 550, then how much more affected is cognitive process when the B-12 level is 365 points lower? If someone is 365 points low at age 60, then how low were they at 45? You may be much younger than 60, even much younger than 45, but stress burns up B-12 at an alarming rate. If you have symptoms of low B-12, even though your serum blood level is "normal" by American standards, are you going to take action? or let the deficiency run its course? Isn't prevention ideal? Also, think about your mum and dad. Look at their fingernails. Ask them about their symptoms. Then, show them how methylcobalamin helps. As an aside, my neurologist said that when serum B-12 is low, then the amount of B-12 in tissue is even lower. He said that both losing and replacing B-12 in tissue is a slow process. |
Vitamin B-12 deficiency common in older people
MOLNYCKE, SWEDEN. Swedish researchers have
discovered that many older people are deficient in vitamin
B-12. Their study involved 368 men and women aged 75
years or older. Analysis of blood serum showed that 11 per
cent of the participants were deficient in cobalamin (vitamin
B-12). The researchers point out that a vitamin B-12
deficiency has been linked to neuropsychiatric disorders
such as memory loss and dementia. The researchers
discovered several cases of gastritis (inflammation of the
lining of the stomach) and two cases of celiac disease
among patients with low serum values of cobalamin. They
conclude that routine screening for a vitamin B-12
deficiency is justified in the case of older people.
What is a healthy B12 Level?
In a separate letter to the Journal of the American Geriatrics
Society doctors from the Union Memorial Hospital in
Baltimore report on a case of vitamin B-12 deficiency. The
patient, an 85-year-old man, had developed progressive
memory loss and lethargy over a two-year period. Although
his serum level of vitamin B-12 was within the currently
accepted range, the doctors decided to proceed with vitamin
B-12 therapy. The patient received an intramuscular injection
of 1000 micrograms of vitamin B-12 for three consecutive
days, then 1000 micrograms weekly for a month, and then
one injection every month. By the fifth injection his mental
status has vastly improved and his lethargy had completely
vanished. The doctors conclude that the levels of serum
vitamin B-12 concentrations currently considered normal in
the United States may be too low and should be reassessed.
The lower limit of 200 pg/mL is based on the level which
causes abnormalities in the blood (pernicious anemia). In
contrast the lower limit in Japan and some European
countries is 500-550 pg/mL and is based on the level which
causes mental manifestations such as dementia and
memory loss. The doctors suggest that a trial of vitamin B-12
therapy is warranted in patients with borderline cobalamin
serum levels as it is effective and inexpensive.
Eggersten, Robert, et al. Prevalence and diagnosis of
cobalamin deficiency in older people, Journal of the
American Geriatrics Society; Vol. 44, Nol. 10, October 1996,
pp. 1273-74.
Goodman, Mark, et al. Are U.S. lower normal B-12 limits too
low? Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Vol. 44, No.
10, October 1996, pp. 1274-75.
MOLNYCKE, SWEDEN. Swedish researchers have
discovered that many older people are deficient in vitamin
B-12. Their study involved 368 men and women aged 75
years or older. Analysis of blood serum showed that 11 per
cent of the participants were deficient in cobalamin (vitamin
B-12). The researchers point out that a vitamin B-12
deficiency has been linked to neuropsychiatric disorders
such as memory loss and dementia. The researchers
discovered several cases of gastritis (inflammation of the
lining of the stomach) and two cases of celiac disease
among patients with low serum values of cobalamin. They
conclude that routine screening for a vitamin B-12
deficiency is justified in the case of older people.
What is a healthy B12 Level?
In a separate letter to the Journal of the American Geriatrics
Society doctors from the Union Memorial Hospital in
Baltimore report on a case of vitamin B-12 deficiency. The
patient, an 85-year-old man, had developed progressive
memory loss and lethargy over a two-year period. Although
his serum level of vitamin B-12 was within the currently
accepted range, the doctors decided to proceed with vitamin
B-12 therapy. The patient received an intramuscular injection
of 1000 micrograms of vitamin B-12 for three consecutive
days, then 1000 micrograms weekly for a month, and then
one injection every month. By the fifth injection his mental
status has vastly improved and his lethargy had completely
vanished. The doctors conclude that the levels of serum
vitamin B-12 concentrations currently considered normal in
the United States may be too low and should be reassessed.
The lower limit of 200 pg/mL is based on the level which
causes abnormalities in the blood (pernicious anemia). In
contrast the lower limit in Japan and some European
countries is 500-550 pg/mL and is based on the level which
causes mental manifestations such as dementia and
memory loss. The doctors suggest that a trial of vitamin B-12
therapy is warranted in patients with borderline cobalamin
serum levels as it is effective and inexpensive.
Eggersten, Robert, et al. Prevalence and diagnosis of
cobalamin deficiency in older people, Journal of the
American Geriatrics Society; Vol. 44, Nol. 10, October 1996,
pp. 1273-74.
Goodman, Mark, et al. Are U.S. lower normal B-12 limits too
low? Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Vol. 44, No.
10, October 1996, pp. 1274-75.
- I copy typed the article because the original scan was
so hard for me to read. I was very careful and checked
my typing several times for accuracy. Still, I put the
original article at the bottom of the page in case you
want to refer to it. Karen Kline 5/29/06
They talk about 550 being the B12 level at which memory
loss, dementia, and lethargy can be caused. The articles talk
about B12 deficient people with gastritis and celiac disease
and both suggest cobalamin, B12 therapy
loss, dementia, and lethargy can be caused. The articles talk
about B12 deficient people with gastritis and celiac disease
and both suggest cobalamin, B12 therapy
http://www.health-boundaries-bite.com
Your fingernails reflect your health --
Learn some warning signs --
Karen Kline
Your fingernails reflect your health --
Learn some warning signs --
Karen Kline
Vitamin B12 can prevent major birth defects
By Will Dunham – Mon Mar 2, 12:02 am ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Before becoming pregnant,
women need to get enough vitamin B12 in addition to folic
acid to cut their risk of having a baby with a serious birth
defect of the brain and spinal cord, researchers said on
Monday.
Irish women with the lowest vitamin B12 levels were five
times more likely to have a baby with a neural tube defect
than those with the highest levels, the researchers wrote in
the journal Pediatrics.
Neural tube defects can lead to lifelong disability or death.
The two most common ones are spina bifida, in which the
spinal cord and back bones do not form properly, and
anencephaly, a fatal condition in which the brain and skull
bones do not develop normally.
Dr. James Mills of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, one
of the researchers, said the study showed that vitamin B12
deficiency was a risk factor for neural tube defects
independent of folic acid, another B vitamin.
Many women now know of the importance of folic acid and
there has been a drop in neural tube defects.
Mills said he hopes that awareness of the similar role of
vitamin B12 can reduce neural tube defects further...
"An absolutely critical point is that women have to consider
this before they become pregnant because once they realize
they are pregnant it's likely to be too late," Mills, a researcher
in the NIH's National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development, said in a telephone interview.
The developmental events involved in these birth defects
occur in the first four weeks of pregnancy, Mills said.
Mills urged women who do not eat meat or dairy products to
be particularly aware of the need to get enough vitamin B12.
He had similar advice for women with an intestinal disorder
such as inflammatory bowel disease that may prevent them
from absorbing sufficient amounts of the vitamin.
The study involved almost 1,200 women in Ireland who gave
blood samples during early pregnancy, which were analyzed
to determine vitamin B12 levels.
The women in the lowest 25 percent of vitamin B12 levels
were five times more likely than those in the highest 25
percent to have had a baby with a neural tube defect.
The researchers suggested that women have vitamin B12
levels above 300 nanograms per liter before getting pregnant.
By Will Dunham – Mon Mar 2, 12:02 am ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Before becoming pregnant,
women need to get enough vitamin B12 in addition to folic
acid to cut their risk of having a baby with a serious birth
defect of the brain and spinal cord, researchers said on
Monday.
Irish women with the lowest vitamin B12 levels were five
times more likely to have a baby with a neural tube defect
than those with the highest levels, the researchers wrote in
the journal Pediatrics.
Neural tube defects can lead to lifelong disability or death.
The two most common ones are spina bifida, in which the
spinal cord and back bones do not form properly, and
anencephaly, a fatal condition in which the brain and skull
bones do not develop normally.
Dr. James Mills of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, one
of the researchers, said the study showed that vitamin B12
deficiency was a risk factor for neural tube defects
independent of folic acid, another B vitamin.
Many women now know of the importance of folic acid and
there has been a drop in neural tube defects.
Mills said he hopes that awareness of the similar role of
vitamin B12 can reduce neural tube defects further...
"An absolutely critical point is that women have to consider
this before they become pregnant because once they realize
they are pregnant it's likely to be too late," Mills, a researcher
in the NIH's National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development, said in a telephone interview.
The developmental events involved in these birth defects
occur in the first four weeks of pregnancy, Mills said.
Mills urged women who do not eat meat or dairy products to
be particularly aware of the need to get enough vitamin B12.
He had similar advice for women with an intestinal disorder
such as inflammatory bowel disease that may prevent them
from absorbing sufficient amounts of the vitamin.
The study involved almost 1,200 women in Ireland who gave
blood samples during early pregnancy, which were analyzed
to determine vitamin B12 levels.
The women in the lowest 25 percent of vitamin B12 levels
were five times more likely than those in the highest 25
percent to have had a baby with a neural tube defect.
The researchers suggested that women have vitamin B12
levels above 300 nanograms per liter before getting pregnant.
Health Boundaries Bite
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