Article Summary:

Article Content:
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is one of the 13 vitamins our body must have for good health and wellness. It is not only essential for the production of red blood cells but also supports the protection of a healthy nervous system.  It is also an essential element in the construction of our DNA. B12 deficiency damages the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and nerves of the eye. 

In 1934, Whipple, Murphy, and Minot shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their life saving discovery found in liver.  The disorder was referred to as “pernicious anemia” because before this discovery, death was inevitable.  In 1948, the substance in the liver was isolated and named cobalamin (vitamin B12).



B12 deficiency is more common than we hear about and reported to affect 25% of the U.S. population.  It strikes up to 15% (5.9 million) older adults > age 64.  The CDC now reports that one out of every 31 Americans above the age of 50 are B12 deficient.  It’s interesting to know that this report underestimates the incidence by using a cut-off range far too low.  The incidence of B12 deficiency in infants and children is unknown, which is very concerning.

Causes of B12 Deficiency

Methylcobalamin – Most Absorbable Form of B-12
The most absorbable form of B-12 is in the form of methylcobalamin. Evidence indicates methylcobalamin has some metabolic and therapeutic applications not shared by the other forms of vitamin B12. Methylcobalamin is the active form of vitamin B12 that acts as a co-factor for methionine synthase in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, thus lowering blood levels of homocysteine.

B-12 works best in a comprehensive formula with other B Vitamins. They have a greater synergistic effect together than individually. This is why I recommend and personally use which was created to bypass the digestive tract, providing an infusion of B vitamins directly into the bloodstream. Methylcobalamin B-12 Select nutritionally supports a healthy nervous system and cardiovascular performance.

I also recommend reading the book Could it Be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses (Second Edition) by Sally M. Pacholok, R.N., B.S.N., and Jeffrey J. Stuart, D.O.

References
(most information compiled from http://b12awareness.org/)

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