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The average individual peak increase in B12 blood levels ranged up to 61%.
The average individual peak increase in Folate blood levels ranged up to 257%.
The amount of B12 affects a number of very important systems in your body -- everything from your DNA to how happy you feel.
Vitamin B12 absorption in the body can be difficult. Many Multivitamins only contain 1-10 mcg of the cyanocobalamin form of vitamin B12. It then needs to be converted to methylcobalamin leaving behind the toxic cyanide in trace amounts, before it can be used by the body.
The absorption of vitamin B12 is a serious problem with oral supplementation because, most multivitamins contain 100-200 micrograms of B12. If you orally took 500 micrograms of vitamin B12, you'd absorb only 1.8 mcg out of a total of 500 micrograms or one third of one percent OR A 99% WASTE!
Renowned B12 researcher, Victor Herbert, said many multivitamins on the market today contain dangerous B12 analogs or a chemical compound with a slightly altered chemical structure. Analogs get created when crystalline B12 interacts with other nutrients in multivitamin products, such as vitamin C, iron and copper -- increasing your body's need for B12. The multivitamin companies do not tell you this. Most multi-vitamins sold today are a complete waste of money pertaining to their B12 quality and performance.
Dr. Brownstein, a board-certified family physician and one of the foremost practitioners of holistic medicine, is amazed at how many patients suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency. B12 deficiency is occurring at epidemic rates, and it can cause or exacerbate myriad neurological problems including dizziness and inner ear problems.
In his experience, it's not worth taking the oral, sublingual or nasal versions of B12.
Vitamin B12 is fittingly known as the energy vitamin, and your body requires it for a number of vital functions. It is very difficult for the body to absorb especially as we age. Many doctors recognize the benefits of vitamin B12 injections and have seen extraordinary results. The downfall is, injections require a prescription and can be very expensive and painful.
Our B12 +PLUS is simple and affordable. Just use our B12 +PLUS once or twice a week and you have received an adequate amount of B12 and Folic Acid into your system. No more painful and expensive shots! |  |
With B12 +PLUS you can be confident in knowing that you are getting a safe and affordable source of B12 and eliminating the feeling of sluggishness and fatigue. You will feel more energy and endurance helping you do and enjoy more of the things you want to.
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WHAT IS VITAMIN B12
Recent studies from the U.S. Framingham trial show one in four adults in the United States are deficient in B12 and nearly half the population has suboptimal blood levels. Why?
Vitamin B12 is the name for a class of chemically-related compounds, all of which have vitamin activity. It is structurally the most complicated vitamin and it contains the biochemically rare element cobalt. It is so difficult to absorb because it's molecular size is huge compared with other vitamins. Because of its size, it takes extraordinary efforts for your body to utilize it.
Biosynthesis of the basic structure of the vitamin is a phenomenon wherein chemical compounds are produced from simpler substances used in a chemical reaction to detect, measure, examine, or produce other substances. This process can only be accomplished by bacteria, but conversion between different forms of the vitamin can be accomplished in the human body. A common synthetic form of the vitamin, cyanocobalamin, does not occur in nature, but is used in many pharmaceuticals, supplements and as food additives, due to its stability and lower cost. Your body converts it to the physiological forms, methylcobalamin (MeB12) that is found in B12 +PLUS and adenosylcobalamin.
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WARNING SIGNS OF VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY?
- Age related diseases
- Eye twitch on the eyelid or just below the eye occurring, usually in one eye. This is not usually painful, just annoying.
- Facial pain, usually on only one side of the face. This pain varies. It can be a dull pain in the cheek bone right underneath an eye. It can also be a sharp shooting pain across the forehead, sometimes coming downward from the scalp to the edge of the nose by the eye. Usually excruciating but fleeting.
- Fatigue and a lack energy is the most common symptom
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Infertility and repeated miscarriages
- Itchy or tingling tongue. This occurs on the edge of the tongue, along one side or the other or at the tip. There is an irresistible urge to scratch the tongue on the teeth to stop the itching. Some individuals experience stinging, pain, or tingling instead of itching.
- Memory loss, disorientation, mental fogginess, confusion or change in mental status in severe or advanced cases. This is sometimes confused with dementia. For borderline deficiency, these should be mild. They can be severe with extreme deficiency. Even a moderate deficiency of this important vitamin and its counterpart, folic acid, may contribute to the onset of dementias.
- Mood swings, apathy, depression, eating abnormalities, and behavior disturbances which occur specifically at night, Hyperactivity ... agitation, euphoria, irritability, lack of inhibition, and motor disturbances
- Migraine headaches - These may be preceded by a temporary blind spot in the center of the field of vision, usually lasting about ten minutes, and sometimes followed by facial pain under the eyes. After the blind spot vanishes, there may be zigzag streaks through the vision that may last for hours. There may be extreme variations from one occurrence to another. They may be quite severe with nausea or they may be virtually nonexistent. Doctors say it's a migraine if the described visual problems occur, whether there is significant pain or not. (Migraines of most individuals have causes other than B12 deficiency, but migraines of certain individuals diminish or stop completely after they are treated for B12 deficiency.)
- Nerve shock in the side of the body. It can be felt coming on a few seconds before it hits, and then it hits almost like a mild but deep electric shock and quickly subsides. It can occur at the side of either hip or on either side of the upper body, along the ribs. Worse yet, it can occur consecutively in at least two or three locations, one right after the other.
- Numbness and tremor, or tingling, pain, itching and pins and needles
- Over the age of 50
- Sharp stabbing, tingling pain in the palm of one or both hands. This occurs suddenly and for no apparent reason directly below the ring finger, approximately where the first palm crease is. If B12 deficiency is not treated, a tingling pain may begin to occur along the outside edge of the hand, starting from the wrist. This pain occurs when the wrist is flexed backward.
- Sore mouth and tongue-- Sores at the corners of the mouth, sometimes extending along the tongue the edge of the lip. These are raw spots which tend to come and go.
- Tingling along the back of one or both thighs, starting at the hips and shooting downward. Starts as an annoyance, but can develop into pain if not treated.
- Trouble sleeping
- Weakness
- White spots in the skin, resulting from the absence of melatonin. These often occur on the outside of the forearm, but may occur in other places. The longer these spots are there, the whiter they get. As time goes by, the spots become very dry and flaky to the extent that small raw spots of skin may be exposed.
Many of these subtle symptoms are general and can also result from a variety of medical conditions other than B12 deficiency. It is important to have a physician evaluate these symptoms.
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CAUSES OF VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY
- Antacids or anti ulcer drugs-- Tagamet, Zantac, and Losec Prilosec, Prevacid, Aciphex, Protonix, Pantoloc, and Nexium
- Antibiotics
- Anti-cancer medications- Methotrexate, Cobalt irradiation
- Anti-convulsants--Mysoline and Dylantin
- Anti-gout
- Anti-hypertensives
- Anti-psychotics
- Balance - Less-than-optimal
- Birth control pills
- Cholesterol- lowering drugs
- Chloromycetin
- Coffee - 4 or more cups a day equals 15% less of B12 than what you would normal absorb
- Colchicine in doses of 1.9 to 3.9mg/day
- Diarrhea
- Estrogen
- Gastric bypass surgery
- Laughing gas or nitrous oxide exposure
- Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss
- Metformin (brand names Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Fortamet, Riomet, Glumetza, and others)
- Neomycin
- Nicotine
- Paleness
- Parkinson's drugs
- Potassium replacements
- Premature grey hair
- Quinine
- Shortness of breath--without chest pain. This can occur when walking just a few yards.
- Sleeping pills
- Sulfa drugs
- Tuberculosis medications
- Ulcers
- Zidovudine (AZT, Combivir, Retrovir)
Many of these subtle symptoms are general and can also result from a variety of medical conditions other than B12 deficiency. It is important to have a physician evaluate these symptoms.
To learn more go to http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitaminb12.asp
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WHAT IS THE HEALTH RISK OF TOO MUCH VITAMIN B12?
The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies did not establish a UL for this vitamin because vitamin B12 has a very low potential for toxicity. The IOM states that "no adverse effects have been associated with excess vitamin B12 intake from food and supplements in healthy individuals". In fact, the IOM recommends that adults older than 50 years get most of their vitamin B12 from vitamin supplements or fortified food because of the high incidence of impaired absorption in this age group of vitamin B12 from foods that come from animals.
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STUDIES AND RESEARCH DONE PERTAINING TO VITAMIN B12
According to HOPE BARKOUKIS, PH.D., R.D., of the nutrition department of CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE in Cleveland, Ohio, home of the world-famous Cleveland Clinic.
 | "Even if you take in enough B12, your body must go through a series of steps to process it. As you age, one or more of the steps may break down." "It's not about getting B12 into your diet, but about getting it absorbed properly." says Dr. Barkoukis. |
B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, but in contrast to other water-soluble vitamins, is not excreted quickly in the urine, but rather stored in some of the organs and other body tissues. As a result, a vitamin B12 deficiency may not manifest itself until after 5 or 6 years of a diet supplying inadequate amounts. This time lag is serious, because after about seven years of B12 deficiency, irreversible damage can result.
New research shows that a person does not get enough B12 with a multi-vitamin or supplement or foods that meet the government's recommended daily allowance. Additionally, many seniors are also deficient because their production of the "intrinsic factor" needed to absorb vitamin B12 declines rapidly with age.
 | A new study links vitamin B12 deficiency with low bone mineral density in men and confirms similar previously reported findings in women. The study was led by epidemiologist Katherine Tucker with the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University in Boston, Mass. |
The scientists examined the relationship between vitamin B12 blood levels and indicators of bone health measure in 2,576 men and women, aged 30 to 87, participating in the Framingham Osteoporosis Study. They found that those with low vitamin B12 levels were at greater risk of osteoporosis than those with higher levels. Also, those with lower B12 levels had significantly lower average bone mineral density at the hip in men and at the spine in women.
People with low levels of vitamin B12 or folate may have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a study in the May 8 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology. A long-range Swedish study of persons 75 years old and older found that more than half of those diagnosed with dementia had both low levels of vitamin B12 and folate.
 | "In our study, we found that low levels of either of these two vitamins were related to an increased Alzheimer's disease risk," said study co-author Hui-Xin Wang. "Monitoring B12 and folate levels is important in order to avoid unfavorable conditions, even for those elderly people who are quite healthy in terms of cognition...there is little question that many patients exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer's may actually suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency. Their symptoms may be totally reversible through effective supplementation." |
Validated tests were carried out at the start and end of the two year period to find out if they had a dementing illness. Similarly, blood tests were taken to assess levels of folate, vitamin B12 and how these changed over time.
Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy
warn that prolonged use of acid-suppressing drugs can lead to serious vitamin B12 deficiency. They cite the case of a 78 year-old non-vegetarian, white Caucasian woman with GERD who had been taking some of these drugs for 4.5 years. She was started on the drugs in February. Her vitamin B12 level was normal (413 pg/mL) in August, but by June it had decreased to 256 pg/mL and her homocysteine level had increased dramatically to 27.3 micromol/L.
The patient was started on 1000 mcg per day of vitamin B12 and her level was back up to 517 pg/m and her homocysteine level was down to 20.3 micromol/L. Further health improvements were observed as her vitamin B12 level increased to 629 pg/mL and homocysteine decreased to 13.9 micromol/L. The researchers point out that other studies have shown that Losec also lowers vitamin B12 levels and concluded that older people on long-term acid-suppressing drugs should be monitored for vitamin B12 deficiency. (Annals of Pharmacotherapy, Vol 36, pp. 812-16.) (Annals of Pharmacotherapy, Vol 36, pp. 812-16.)
A Wisconsin doctor reports a case of a 63 year old man who developed a severe vitamin B12 deficiency after having taken metformin for five years. Replacing the metformin with sulfonylurea and adding 1000 mcg of vitamin B12 for two months reversed the deficiency caused from this drug.
(Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol 162, February 25, pp 484-85)
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University
report that women with breast cancer tend to have lower vitamin B12 levels in their blood serum than do women without breast cancer. The researchers calculated the vitamin B12 concentrations in blood samples obtained in 1974 and in 1989 and compared the levels found in 195 women who later developed breast cancer with the levels found in 195 women free of cancer. They found that post-menopausal women with the lowest serum levels of vitamin B12 had a 2.5-4.0 times greater likelihood of being in the breast cancer group than did women with the highest levels.
 | In a subsequent review of the findings Dr. Sang-Woon Choi, MD of Tufts University points out that there maybe correlation between folate levels in breast tissue and breast cancer risk. Dr. Choi speculates that a vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to breast cancer because it could result in less folate being available to ensure proper DNA replication and repair. |
In India, which is primarily a vegetarian based culture, current studies indicate about 80 percent of adults are deficient in vitamin B12. Strict vegetarians and vegans are at greater risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency more so than non-vegetarians because vitamin B12 is obtained from eating meats and fish. Vegetarians and vegans need to consider taking vitamin B12 to avoid becoming B12 deficient in order to avoid possible vision and brain abnormalities as in well-documented cases.
Swedish researchers have discovered that many older people are deficient in vitamin B12. The researchers discovered several cases of B12 leading to the reversal of memory loss and fatigue.
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 B12 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 B12 was within the currently accepted range, the doctors decided to proceed with vitamin B12 therapy. The patient received an injection of 1000 micrograms weekly for a month and then one injection every month. By the fifth injection his mental status had vastly improved and his lethargy had completely vanished. The doctors concluded that the blood levels of vitamin B12 currently considered normal in the United States may be too low and should be reassessed.
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B12 RESEARCH CONTINUES TO AMAZE
Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
In a study involving 816 subjects, levels of vitamin B12 were found to be significantly lower in patients with CAD, as compared to controls. Vegetarians were found to have significantly lower levels of vitamin B12 and a higher incidence of CAD. The authors state; these results suggest that low vitamin B12 levels may be linked to CAD.
Vitamin B12 Found to be More Effective than Drug Therapy for Diabetic Neuropathy
In a randomized, single-blind, clinical trial involving 100 patients with painful diabetic neuropathy, treatment with vitamin B12 was found to be more effective than treatment with nortriptyline (standard drug therapy) in improving symptoms of pain, paresthesia, and tingling sensations.
Low Folate Intake in Men and Low Vitamin B12 Intake in Women may be Associated with Depression
In a cross-sectional study involving 9,670 subjects, results indicate that low intake of folate may be associated with depression in currently smoking men, as well as men with low level anxiety, while low vitamin B12 intake may be associated with depression in women. In women, high vitamin B12 intake was associated with a 32-42% reduced risk of depression, compared with low vitamin B12 intake. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "Low folate intake was associated with depression among currently smoking men and men with low anxiety levels. Low intake of vitamin B12 was associated with depression among women."
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WHAT IS VITAMIN B9 OR FOLIC ACID (FOLATE)?
Folate B12 is a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in food. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate that is found in supplements and added to fortify foods. Folate acid can be found in high levels in certain plants. Most Americans do not eat enough of these plants to acquire necessary amounts.
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CAUSES OF VITAMIN B9 OR FOLIC ACID (FOLATE) DEFICIENCY?
Medications that interfere with folate absorption include:
- Anticancer drugs
- Anticonvulsant medications (such as Dilantin, Phenytoin and Primidone)
- Barbiturates (used as sedatives)
- Birth control
- Metformin
- Cimetidine
- Methotrexate
- Prescription drugs such as antacids
- Sulfasalaziner
- Triamterene
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WARNING SIGNS OF VITAMIN B9 OR FOLIC ACID (FOLATE)DEFICIENCY?
- Abnormal Pap smear in women taking oral contraceptives
- Acne
- Alcohol abuse
- Avoiding gluten
- Behavioral disorders
- Birth defects prevention
- Cardiovascular diseases - It is estimated close to 13,500 deaths could be prevented annually by increasing intake of folic acid
- Certain anemias
- Cracking at the corners of the mouth
- Depression
- Dialysis
- Diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss
- Elevated homocysteine level
- Fatigue
- Forgetfulness
- Gingivitis (rinse only)
- Headaches
- Hearing loss
- Heart palpitations
- Infants and children with slow overall growth rate
- Irritability
- Liver disease
- Malabsorption
- Particular types of anemia
- Pregnancy, lactation (breastfeeding), postpartum support
- Schizophrenia (for deficiency)
- Sore tongue
- Stress related disorders
- Weakness
- Weight loss
Many of these subtle symptoms are general and can also result from a variety of medical conditions other than folate deficiency. It is important to have a physician evaluate these symptoms.
To learn more go to http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/folate.asp
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BE CAUTIOUS WHEN USING VITAMIN B9 OR FOLIC ACID (FOLATE) SUPPLEMENTS?
Beware of the interaction between vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements.
Intake of supplemental folic acid should not exceed 1,000 micrograms per day to prevent folic acid from triggering symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. It is very important for older adults to be aware of the relationship between folic acid and vitamin B12 because they are at greater risk of having a vitamin B12 deficiency.
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WHAT IS THE HEALTH RISK OF TOO MUCH B9 OR FOLIC ACID (FOLATE)?
Folate intake from food is not associated with any health risk. The risk of toxicity from folic acid intake from supplements and/or fortified foods is also low. It is a water soluble vitamin, so any excess intake is usually lost in the urine. There is some evidence that high levels of folic acid can provoke seizures in patients taking anti-convulsant medications . Anyone taking such medications should consult with a medical doctor before taking a folic acid supplement.
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STUDIES AND RESEARCH DONE PERTAINING TO VITAMIN B9 OR FOLIC ACID
The Institute of Medicine has established a tolerable upper intake level (UL) for folate from fortified foods or supplements--i.e. folic acid--for ages one and above. Intakes above this level increase the risk of adverse health effects. In adults, supplemental folic acid should not exceed the UL to prevent folic acid from triggering symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. It is important to recognize that the UL refers to the amount of synthetic folate--i.e. folic acid--being consumed per day from fortified foods and/or supplements. There is no health risk, and no UL, for natural sources of folate found in food.
 | The scientific evidence is strong enough to justify that using folic acid (Folate) may be a cheap and simple way for reducing the rise of heart disease and strokes, say researchers in the British Medical Journal. |
ScienceDaily (November 28, 2006)Debate continues, so heart expert Dr. David Wald and colleagues set out to clarify the issue over whether raised homocysteine levels cause heart disease and stroke, and whether folic acid, which lowers homocysteine, will help reduce the risk of these disorders.
They examined all the evidence from different studies to see whether raised homocysteine is a cause of cardiovascular disease. The cohort studies and genetic studies indicated a protective effect from lower homocysteine levels. Since folic acid (Folate) reduces homocysteine concentrations, it follows that increasing folic acid consumption may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. |  |
ScienceDaily (Feb. 5, 2008) Folate deficiency is associated with a tripling in the risk of developing dementia and a large risk in serious heart problems, suggests research published ahead of print in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.
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