Nutrition is something many people don’t even think about. Until they become sick that is. The problem is that if you have nutritional deficiencies that go on for too long, by the time a problem arises, it may be too late to reverse damage. No more evident is that than in the neurological and other disorders that are related to B12 deficiency.
Did you know that all of the following diseases/disorders can be caused by a deficiency in B12?
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological disorders
- Depression and anxiety
- Heart disease
- Alzheimer’s
- Learning disabilities in kids
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Autoimmune disease
- Cancer
- Male and female infertility
Additionally, The Linus Pauling Institute has recently shown a definitive link between blood levels of vitamin B12 and breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer was more than doubled in women with vitamin B12 levels in the lowest fifth of the group, compared with the rest of the women studied.
B12 deficiencies are widespread, with estimates as high as 50% of people or more having lower than healthy levels of serum B12.
There are many causes of B12 deficiency, the most common being lack of intrinsic factor to absorb B12. A large segment of the population is lacking the critical factors required in order to absorb and assimilateB12. Thus, it is a myth that B12 deficiency is something that only affects non-animal eating people.
At increased risk are people who have low stomach acid, drink alcohol, take prescription medications (especially diabetes drugs) those with Crohn’s and IBS, or women with a history of miscarriage.
SUPPLEMENTATION IS CRITICAL
Supplements are absolutely vital for most people. I recommend that everyone get a baseline blood test of their B12 levels, in order to determine how well they are absorbing B12.
Of course, supplements are never to be a substitute for healthy living, but for a critical brain and nerve health nutrient like B12, that is NOT available in plant foods and difficult to absorb even for those who eat animals, it is the one supplement that virtually everyone should have in their home.
Remember, that many of these conditions, especially neurological problems, may be gradual, but they are not always reversible.
Be sure to get a high quality B12 supplement that is in the methylcobalamin form. Many of the brands are cyanocobalamin, which is the B12 bound to cyanide molecules, which can damage the liver over time and is very difficult for the body to use.
Vitamin absorption is a very complex metabolic process, involving the interdependence between many other vitamins, a healthy functioning pancreas, stomach and small intestine. But I do believe that if we are eating the best possible foods, AND taking a highly absorbable form of B12, we are giving our body the best support at giving us a healthy vibrant life!
