Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

Many people with MS seem to have Lack of B12 and Vit D. This blog is to look into the lack of B12.

http://www.healthline.com/adamcont...
This link states that a metabolic problem of lack of Vit B12 can cause nerve damage.

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TEST
The BEST indicator or B12 deficiency is to ask your doctor to run a test to find out what your MMA (mehylmalonic Acid) levels are. If they are elevated you most probably have lack of B12.

B12 What it does:
Vitamin B12 works WITH folic acid in many body processes including SYNTHESIS of DNA, red blood cells and the insulation sheath (the myelin sheath) that surrounds nerve cells and facilitates the conduction of signals in the nervous system. Severe depletion manifests as pernicious anemia, which was invariably fatal until the discovery of B12 in liver. But long before anemia sets in, other conditions may manifest, most often neurological problems (numbness, pins and needles sensations, a burning feeling in the feet, shaking, muscle fatigue, sleep disorders, memory loss, irrational anger, impaired mental function and Alzheimer’s) or psychological conditions (dementia, depression, psychosis and obsessive-compulsive behavior).

B12 HELPS
1.)Produce melatonin which HELPS you sleep
2.)Useful adjunct for diabetics
3.)Have been helpful for those with Asthma(sulfite sensitivity), eczema, psorsis, osteporosis, Lupus and MS.
4.)Plus Low B12 resutls in Low antibody response, impaired immunity and increaese in infections (MS viral/bacteria cause??)

B12 & MS
One condition that would seem obviously correlated with B12 deficiency is multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease characterized by demyelination of the central nervous system. Yet many studies indicate that those with MS have normal blood levels of the vitamin. Japanese researchers have found that in MS patients, there is a decrease in the binding capacity of B12, thus inhibiting the transport of B12 into the cells, even in patients with normal levels in their blood. Even so, they were able to achieve some improvement with high-dose supplementation.
The benefit of B12 for depression may be due to B12’s ability to activate a substance called tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a compound which in turn helps activate "feel good" neurotransmitters like serotonin and DOPAmine.


How to GET More B12 + Stop the loss of B12
1.) Eat Liver or shellfish (High in B12). Steak is good but get it on the rarer side as it preserves more of the B12.
2.) Eat Calcium such as Unpasteurized proteins help B12 absorbtion so does Bone broths that heal intestinal inflam. and increase absorption.
3.) Take coconut oil and consume lacto-fermented foods: these help fight against pathogens such as helicobacter pylori, which is associated with B12 deficiency. Eradication of the organism often clears up B12 deficiency.

AVOID
1.)AVOID OVERconsumption of foods that BLOCK vitamin B12 intake or increase the body’s need for the vitamin, such as SOY foods and spirulina.
2.)Antacids and drugs that lower stomach acid levels: acid-suppressing drugs such as Tagamet, Zantac and Losec can lead to serious B12 deficiency
3.) Foods fortified with folic acid. Taking folic acid withOUT B12 can mask signs of B12 deficiency in red blood cells but will not protect against deficiencies in the nervous system. Folic acid and B12 WORK WELL TOGETHER and any supplementation program should include BOTH of these nutrients (Institute of Medicine.National Academy Press. Washington, DC 1998).
4.)Avoid taking EXCESS vitamin C(normal amount fine), especially for long periods. The ability of vitamin C to destroy B12 has been observed by several researchers--although this is disputed by others. Small amounts of natural vitamin C are a better choice than large amounts of synthetic vitamin C.
5.) Avoid smoking, vaccinations containing thimerosol (ie flue shot) that contain mercury & oral contraception which all deplete B12
6.) Avoid mycotoxins made by molds that interfere with B12 functions. As well as pesticides and xenotoxins.

Since vitamin B12 in supplements is produced in exactly the same way as B12 in nature, that is, by bacterial fermentation, the danger of high doses in most cases is negligible.

More Info on Vit B12 found below:
http://www.westonaprice.org/basicn...
Posted on 05/07/08, 10:05 am