[mrsD]

B12 cannot come from veggies. It has to come from animal sources. Veggies have other B vitamins.

You can check your food choices for nutrition content here:

www.nutritiondata.com
They don't have fresh carrot juice...but there is this one:
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/v...roducts/2757/2

[sguinn]

I have been diagnosed with mild depression and have been prescribed a low dosage of prozac. My symptoms are not feeling sad, angry, etc but more tired, sluggish, lack of motivation, etc. I have read online that taking B12 could help. Is this something I should do? If so, what kind do I take? I have looked online and there are so many. It looks like some have b-6 and folic acid as well. Thanks in advance for your help.

[mrsD]

Folate has been shown to be low in people with depression.
Same with DHA (a long chain fatty acid found in fish and fish oils).

The newest data also shows low Vit D leads to depression.

Low B12 actually damages nerves, the myelin that insulates them is maintained by B12 and other nutrients. Myelin damage also shows up as numbness/tingling and peripheral nerve pain.

Certainly B12 helps with neurological problems, but it is not the only player in nerve maintenance.

So you would have to pay attention to several things. You can be tested, for Vit D and B12. I'd get that done to see if you need them.

Many people with simple low energy complaints, do well on a simple high potency B-complex. A B-50 type or something similar once a day in the morning often makes people "feel better". That is where I would start. Many people have posted on boards that this brand was very good and useful for them:
http://www.iherb.com/B-Right-100-Capsules/110?at=0

After testing you will see if you need more B12 than this product offers.

[Starglow]

I've had tingling in my hands/feet for almost two months now and my feet started burning on the bottoms about a week ago. I went to the GP doctor and they tested my blood.

Two days later, they called me and said my B12 level was way too high (+2000) and that I should stop taking the B-complex vitamin supplement I was taking.

The burning in my feet is still there, but has decreased somewhat. I've also been exercising every day and doing some lite yoga. My acupuncturist put me on some herbs, so I can't tell at this point if stopping the B-complex vitamin, taking the herbs, exercise, or a combination of the three is helping my feet. The "night tingling" in my hands and feet have also decreased.

My experience and the advice of my doctor seems to contradict what has been presented here regarding high levels of B-12, which has left me a bit confused. I won't see the nero doctor until next month and have no official DX yet, but plan to consult my acupuncturist next week regarding taking the B-complex and my unexplained high levels of B-12 in the blood test results.

I would appreciate any comments/observations/suggestions from the group.

Thanks.....!

[mrsD]

Welcome to NT....

You are free to Google B12 anytime, and find reputable links to satisfy your doctor. I have some on this thread in fact.

You can follow your doctor's advice, and see if you get worse, or no better, and then decide 1) find another doctor, or 2) take control of your body yourself. When it comes to B12, this supplement is very safe to deal with yourself. This is not true for everything in life however.

We would like to think in a perfect world, our doctors know everything that will help us and make us better. But the truth of the matter is that they do not. In a decision like this, you need to consider if doctor's advice is better than your body's needs.

Do this-- make your doctor prove to YOU that a serum level of B12 at 2000 is harmful. I'd like to see what he/she comes up with!

In fact lab ranges are arbitrary. They are taken from volunteers who appear healthy, and averaged. They are not based on people who are supplementing anything. Extremely high B12 in a person who IS NOT supplementing, may point to some rare conditions. That is all they mean.
And furthermore, what is very lame about the US, is that the LOWER end of the range is out of date, compared to other countries. Normal is considered 150-200 here and in Japan anything below 500 is abnormal.

[MelodyL]

Hi Starglow:

Sorry to hear that you are having tingling and burning. My last B-12 level was 2000 and I explained why this was so to my primary care physician. He listened and said "melody, keep doing what you are doing".

See, I also take a B-Complex once a day. And I take 5000 of the Jarrows formula of the Methyl B-12.

What exactly is in your B-Complex? Does it say Cyano or Methyl B-12. there are various kinds. And I completely agree with Mrs. Doubtfire (that's how I learned what I learned.....I LISTEN TO MRS. DOUBTFIRE.

I don't think I'd be where I am today if I didn't LISTEN TO MRS. DOUBTFIRE.

So, do as she suggests. Also list what other supplements you are taking.

Everything (sometimes, doesn't go together).

Are you diabetic?

Melody

[echoes long ago]

could it be possible that you were getting too much B6 in your B multi vitamin and since you stopped your B6 level has decreased and thus you are feeling better. High B6 can cause PN and also make it worse if you already have it. Did you have your B6 levels tested also?

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by echoes long ago

could it be possible that you were getting too much B6 in your B multi vitamin and since you stopped your B6 level has decreased and thus you are feeling better. High B6 can cause PN and also make it worse if you already have it. Did you have your B6 levels tested also?

Echoes:

EXCELLENT question.

Melody

[echoes long ago]

aw shucks, thanks.

[Starglow]

Hi again....

I am not a diabetic as far as I know and my blood sugar levels were normal.
Here's the B Complex info: Members Mark (Sam's Club brand)

Thiamin B1 50mg
Riboflavin B2 50mg
Niacin 50mg
Vitamin B6 50mg
Folic Acid 400mcg
Vitamin B12 50mcg - Doesn't specify specific type of B12
Biotin 50mcg
Pantothentic Acid 50mg

Other Supplements:

Glucosamine - 1500 mg
Omega -3 Fish Oil - 1700 mg
Flaxseed Oil – 200 mg
Vitamin C w/Rose Hips - 1000 mg
Vitamin E – 1000 I.U.
Co Q10 – 400 mg
Ginko Biloba – 60mg
Green Foods – Complex
Niacinamide – 500 mg
Alpha Lipoic Acid 600mg - Just started taking this today

Cholestar K-27 Caps, 2caps/3xday for reducing Cholesterol
Contents:
Chromium - 50 mcg
Inositol Hexanicotinate - 375 mg
Red Rice Yeast extract - 175 mg
Garlic extract – 100 mg
Pantethine – 50 mg

Although I have no problems exercising which includes riding a stationary Lifecycle for 12 minuts, today I had problems driving for the first time since my feet started burning last week. I can drive for a bit, but then it becomes hard to press the pedals with my right leg because it becomes weak and my toes cramp up, especially in heavy traffic. I had to put my car in park at traffic lights to rest my leg/foot, but even then it was hard to get back home.