One of the most common disorders caused by nutritional deficiency is
anemia due to an insufficiency of B-12. This nutrient has the largest
molecular structure of any single vitamin and consequently presents a
serious absorption problem.
The typical approaches to treating anemia are to administer large dosages
of ferrous sulfate (iron sulfate) which may cause gastrointestinal bleeding,
or a 1 c.c. (1000 mcg.) intramuscular injection of vitamin B-12, which
is difficult to maintain over a long period of time.
Absorption of B-12 in the diet is reduced by an erosion of the mucous
lining of the intestines and decreased
hydrochloric acid production in the stomach. Stress has also been
implicated in reducing the amount of blood flow to the stomach wall (eschemia),
and thus inhibiting the absorption of B-12.
Further, many people are lacking a protein called "Intrinsic Factor"
that may also be necessary for absorption. Vegetarians are often at risk
of deficiency because B-12 is only found in animal products.
Recently, a number of researchers have found that the Schilling Test,
the standard for measuring B-12 in the blood, does not accurately account
for utilization of B-12.
In the event that B-12 is absorbed through the digestive tract, it is
often not utilized in the formation of red blood cells. With this
in mind, researchers experimented with relatively high levels of B-12
both orally and sublingually, (under the tongue), and they found they
could overcome both the absorption and utilization problems.
It is known that B-12 may be important for many conditions including
- anemia
- cardiovascular disease (resulting from a buildup of homocysteine or
methylmalonic acid in the blood)
- multiple sclerosis
- neural tube defects (a birth defect)
- myelin protein deficiency
- neuro-psychiatric disorders
- depression
- mood swings
- memory loss
- optic & peripheral neuropathy
Using standard normal ranges for determining whether or not a person
is in an anemic state does not always indicate that one is at an optimal
level of health in relation to hemoglobin levels.
Boosting the hemoglobin to a range of 14-17, provides a much
better basis for improved energy, stamina and mood. (Hemoglobin
is the component of blood that transports oxygen to all of your 100 trillion
cells, including your brain!)
From clinical experience it has been observed that supplementation with
sublingual B-12 (dibencozide) at 10,000 mcg. per day along with 800 mcg.
per day of folic acid, stimulates the bone marrow to raise the
hemoglobin count by as much as 2-3 points per month, depending
on the beginning values and overall nutritional status.
Other effects that can be observed in the blood by using this treatment
include:
- Raising suppressed white blood cell count
- Improving the ratios among various white blood cells
- Normalizing macrocytosis (Increase in red blood cell size)
- Normalizing microcytosis (Decrease in red blood cell size)
- Raising red blood cell count
- Lowering homocysteine levels
The broad range of application of B-12 and folic acid supplementation
have also included effective treatment for other disorders, including
depression, anxiety and panic attacks.
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[ ArmMed Media]
Last Revised at December 6, 2007 by Amalia K. Gagarina, M.S., R.D.
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