[lindylanka]

Vitamin B12 deficiency and Parkinsons together are not unknown.

Take a look at the NWPF link below.

If you are older, have a lot of numbness, especially in your legs, and feel unmotivated this could be you. There are a lot of symptoms that are neurological that come with B12 deficiency that you might think are PD symptoms. If in doubt get your B12 and folate levels checked out. If they are low show your doctor the link below...

http://www.nwpf.org/wellness/Physica...23&headerbar=4

[mrsD]

Thanks for the reminder.

Also be aware that many doctors will report a low level as "normal" because lab ranges in most countries are still old.
(the exception is Japan, which had a national accident involving a drug that cause low B12---people died-- so they are aggressive and have ranges that prevent this)

Anything in U.S. under 400 should have a MMA test, and be supplemented with B12-- the methyl version, not cyano.

Here is our B12 thread from PN with details:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread85103.html

Oral methyl works as well as injected...but all oral must be taken on an empty stomach for best results. This is very inexpensive amounting to pennies a day.

The US nutritional experts recommend a B12 supplement for all persons over 50 now, since it is very common to have low B12 in the elderly population.

[lindylanka]

Would just like to add that if the doctors ascertain that your B12 deficiency is caused through lack of intrinsic factor (IF) then you do not have the receptors for uptake of B12 and will need shots, all others can take oral supplements.

[mrsD]

That is no longer true. There are studies showing high dose oral B12 1000-5000mcg daily will be absorbed passively without intrinsic factor.

About 1-10% can be absorbed and this is above the RDA range of 2-4mcg. But people without intrinsic factor need to take the B12 on an empty stomach because food can absorb it and prevent the passive (without intrinsic factor) absorption. The link I gave has a link to the AAFP medical site that gives oral studies results.

Methyl version is the active form, and preferred because some cannot convert the synthetic to methyl in the body well. Methylcobalamin is still not commonly available at store locally, but online it is so inexpensive that you can get it that way. iherb.com and Puritan's Pride both have for very low prices.

Many doctors don't know about methylcobalamin, proper serum lab ranges, or dosing. That is why I provide the information for you that is newer. The AAFP site was written in 2003, so it is really not "new" anymore.

[Muireann]

Just want to second everything MrsD says here. Both of my adult daughters and myself have this deficiency, severely. Solgar b12 methylcobalamin 5,000 mcgs reverses deficiency in us and we get it from www.iherb.com

Originally Posted by mrsD

That is no longer true. There are studies showing high dose oral B12 1000-5000mcg daily will be absorbed passively without intrinsic factor.

About 1-10% can be absorbed and this is above the RDA range of 2-4mcg. But people without intrinsic factor need to take the B12 on an empty stomach because food can absorb it and prevent the passive (without intrinsic factor) absorption. The link I gave has a link to the AAFP medical site that gives oral studies results.

Methyl version is the active form, and preferred because some cannot convert the synthetic to methyl in the body well. Methylcobalamin is still not commonly available at store locally, but online it is so inexpensive that you can get it that way. iherb.com and Puritan's Pride both have for very low prices.

Many doctors don't know about methylcobalamin, proper serum lab ranges, or dosing. That is why I provide the information for you that is newer. The AAFP site was written in 2003, so it is really not "new" anymore.

[lindylanka]

Thanks MrsD,
I am not in the US so was going by info available here.

Thanks also Muireann