During a time of upheaval in our nation, Lou Gherig, America\u2019s baseball iron horse, received a diagnosis that completely changed his life. In the face of his own uncertain future Lou Gherig stood before over 60,000 people and delivered a speech in which he shared the \u201cbad break\u201d of his recent diagnosis with ALS. Yet, in the face of his own personal, uncertain future, he stated, \u201cI am the luckiest man alive.\u201d He died a little over two years later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While there is no cure for Lou Gherig\u2019s disease, some researchers have found high dose injections of a form of vitamin B12<\/sub> (methylcobalamin) has a protective effect on neurons and slows down progression of the disease.1<\/sup> Supplementing with vitamin B12<\/sub> can be very important for many, though, not just those diagnosed with ALS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends that everyone over 50 years of age ensure adequate B12<\/sub> intake by supplementing and\/or consuming fortified foods. Vitamin B12<\/sub> is easier to absorb from these sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Individuals taking medications for acid reflux, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or metformin would do well to supplement. Metformin is a medication typically given to manage type 2 diabetes. It’s been found to impair the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12<\/sub>.2<\/sup> This can go unrecognized, though, as blood levels of B12<\/sub> can be reduced within the first three months of metformin use even though symptoms may not appear for over a decade. Two thousand individuals with type 2 diabetes were divided into two groups who took either vitamin B12<\/sub> or metformin. After three years, low levels of B12<\/sub> were much more common in the metformin group than the placebo group.3<\/sup>Diabetics taking this medication would do well to have these levels checked periodically or to proactively\/preventively supplement.Vitamin B12<\/sub> deficiency may be especially pronounced in elderly diabetics taking metformin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s estimated that 25-35 percent of Americans take PPIs or a similar medication to treat acid reflux. Even more shocking is the 2009 statistic of 2.6 million prescriptions given to children for PPIs. Aside from their impact on proper digestion, PPIs limit the body\u2019s ability to properly metabolize B12<\/sub> so it can benefit us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many omnivores have suboptimal levels of B12<\/sub>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Various countries have documented the common occurrence of subnormal vitamin B12<\/sub> status in vegetarians or vegans. A study in Hong Kong found that when vegans and those living in underprivileged communities in northern rural China supplemented with vitamin B12<\/sub>, risk factors of cardiovascular disease improved.4<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n It has also been observed that when dietary changes are made from being an omnivore to a strict plant-based diet for five years, serum B12<\/sub> levels do decrease. When supplements or vitamin B12<\/sub>-fortified foods are included in the diet, this reduction doesn’t occur. However, evidence seems to indicate that a steady decline over a five-year study period still occurs when fortified foods alone are the source of B12<\/sub>, indicating that additional supplementation may be needed in addition to the fortified foods. Eating small amounts of animal products does not guarantee sufficiency. Many omnivores have suboptimal levels of B12<\/sub>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vitamin B12<\/sub> supplements can be swallowed, chewed, dissolved under the tongue, absorbed in the mouth via toothpaste, or injected in the muscle. Injections are commonly given in doctor\u2019s offices when deficiencies are identified. Studies have found, however, that sublingual or oral doses can be just as effective in raising serum B12<\/sub> levels in the long run. Evidence from some studies has found that treating symptoms of deficiency, such as neurological deficits, in individuals with 1,000-2,000 mcg of oral B12<\/sub> may be as effective as injections.5<\/sup> Injections, however, are necessary for those with genetic defects in B12<\/sub> metabolism. Other research using doses as low as 350 mcg per week (50 micrograms per day) of vitamin B12<\/sub> supplementation showed equal improvement to those taking 2000 micrograms per week in vegans and vegetarians with borderline deficient levels.6<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n The recommended daily allowance (RDA) is only 2.4 mcg. While B12<\/sub> is water soluble, it’s stored in the liver for a long time and therefore daily ingestion is not necessary. Smaller doses can be taken daily, or larger doses if you supplement a few times a week. In their book Vegan for Life<\/em>, dietitians Jack Norris and Virginia Messina recommend the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Consume two servings per day of fortified foods providing 1.5 to 2.5 mcg of vitamin B12<\/sub> each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Take a daily vitamin B12<\/sub> supplement of at least 25 mcg (25 to 100mcg is a good range).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Take a supplement of 1,000 mcg of vitamin B12<\/sub> three times a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n B12<\/sub> exists in four forms. It is beyond the scope of this article to properly address the forms but in a nutshell, cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin are two forms typically found in supplements. Cyanocobalaminis a stable form and converted in the body to more active forms. It does contain trace amounts of cyanide, which, if taken in correct dosages, is considered within safe limits. However, individuals with kidney disease should supplement with methylcobalamin instead. Methylcobalamin is a more active form of B12<\/sub> that doesn\u2019t require any conversion for some of its uses. The stability of methylcobalamin is unsure, so supplements contain higher amounts to ensure adequacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I would encourage supplementation for those over 50 years of age, those taking certain medications, those thriving on a plant-based diet, those with digestive concerns, and those who’ve tested and have marginal or suboptimal levels. I have a general preference for sublingual and even recently purchased the toothpaste just to B sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a world of so much uncertainty, I’m so thankful that Jesus is a sure Foundation. In Him we are the luckiest in the world, to B sure!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Y. Izumi & R. Kaji, \u201cClinical trials of ultra-high-dose methylcobalamin in ALS,\u201d Brain Nerve<\/em>, October 2007, https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/17969354.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. A. Strong et al., \u201cSublingual vitamin B12 compared to intramuscular injection in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin: a randomised trial,\u201d N Zeal Med J<\/em>, 2016, https:\/\/www.nzma.org.nz\/journal\/read-the-journal\/all-issues\/2010-2019\/2016\/vol-129-no-1436-10-june-2016\/6920.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. 3. V. Aroda, S. Edelstein, R. Goldbert, et al., \u201cLong-term Metformin Use and Vitamin B12 Deficiency in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study,\u201dJ Clin Endocrinol Metab<\/em>,https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/26900641.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. S. Woo et al., \u201cVegan diet, subnormal vitamin B-12 status and cardiovascular health,\u201d Nutrients<\/em>,<\/em>https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25195560.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. J. Vidal-Alaball et al., \u201cOral vitamin B12 versus intramuscular vitamin B12 for vitamin B12 deficiency,\u201d Cochrane database of systematic reviews<\/em>, July 20, 2005, https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5112015\/.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. C. Del Bo\u2019 et al., \u201cEffect of two different sublingual dosages of vitamin B12<\/sub> on cobalamin nutritional status in vegans and vegetarians with a marginal deficiency: A randomized controlled trial,\u201d Clin Nutr<\/em>, February 14, 2018, https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/29499976.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" During a time of upheaval in our nation, Lou Gherig, America\u2019s baseball iron horse, received a diagnosis that completely changed his life….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12752,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[232,237],"class_list":["post-12880","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","tag-newsletter","tag-vitamin-b"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lightbearers.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/B_Sure.jpg?fit=2560%2C1440&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paAh8r-3lK","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightbearers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12880","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightbearers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightbearers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightbearers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightbearers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12880"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lightbearers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12880\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12881,"href":"https:\/\/lightbearers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12880\/revisions\/12881"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightbearers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightbearers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12880"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightbearers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12880"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightbearers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12880"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}To supplement or not to supplement?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Injectable or sublingual?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n