Vitamin B12 or Alzheimer's
Older people are often deficient in vitamin B12. In fact, the testing that states B12 values are within normal limits, the symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and forgetfulness will respond to B12 supplements. The primary reason for this, is that when you become deficient in vitamin B12, the symptoms show up neurologically, before they show up on a blood count. The beautiful thing is that there are NO side-effects of a high dose of B12. Compare that to doses of medicine for Alzheimer's.
Vitamin B12 is an essential water soluble vitamin that is commonly found in a variety of foods such as fish, shellfish, meats, and dairy products. Vitamin B12 is frequently used in combination with other B vitamins in a vitamin B complex formulation. It helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells, and is also needed to make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Vitamin B12 is bound to the protein in food. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach releases B12 from protein during digestion.
People at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency include strict vegetarians, elderly people, and people with increased vitamin B12 requirements associated with pregnancy, thyrotoxicosis, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhage, malignancy, liver or kidney disease.
Administering vitamin B12 orally, intramuscularly, or intranasally is effective for preventing and treating dietary vitamin B12 deficiency. An oral dose of 100-250 micrograms/day is usually adequate although patients with absorption difficulties may need 1000 micrograms/day of vitamin B12. Oral preparations should not be used in patients with diarrhea, vomiting, severe neurologic involvement, or in patients likely to be noncompliant to therapy.
Natural Health and Wholistic Wellness Resources in Raleigh NC
Categories: Nutrition
Created Monday, January 28, 2008 by T.Smith, M.S.