[NeuroLogic]

For anyone who doesn't mind (or likes) getting in the weeds of biology, here's a great, concise little article on B12 and inflammation by Dr. Ayers:

http://coolinginflammation.blogspot....d-disease.html

[mrsD]

In the first paragraph is a statement that supplements do not work for Pernicious Anemia. The author of this article has not yet discovered, passive absorption is possible with no intrinsic factor? This article is from 2008. There are studies from before that date showing oral B12 works.

There are studies that show oral supplements of B12 work for those with pernicious anemia:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20708373

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17475180

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17375844

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16897048

[karsten]

Originally Posted by mrsD

In the first paragraph is a statement that supplements do not work for Pernicious Anemia. The author of this article has not yet discovered, passive absorption is possible with no intrinsic factor? This article is from 2008. There are studies from before that date showing oral B12 works.

There are studies that show oral supplements of B12 work for those with pernicious anemia:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20708373

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17475180

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17375844

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16897048

I thought the end of the atricle regarding alcohol consumption was rather amusing. It could be inperpreted by some as drink more and you will live longer!

[NeuroLogic]

Originally Posted by karsten

I thought the end of the atricle regarding alcohol consumption was rather amusing. It could be inperpreted by some as drink more and you will live longer!

It seems like every month a new study comes out advocating drinking.

On an unrelated note...

Does anyone here know if parasites commonly cause B12 deficiency?

I read one testimonial, but don't know if the patient's interpretation is correct. The claim is made it's a common problem.

An another site, the question is asked by a parent if parasites should be dealt with first before B12 supplementation.

I know supplementation works; I just wonder if people will get quicker results without parasites.

[mrsD]

The tapeworms actually steal B12 from the GI tract.

Other parasites like Giardia, inflame the lining of the intestines
and reduce absorption that way... called malabsorption.

Anything that inflames the GI lining... gluten, food intolerances, toxins from bacteria, or parasites, can reduce B12 absorption.

[NeuroLogic]

"Patients with a history of intestinal surgery, strictures, or blind loops may have bacterial overgrowth that can compete for dietary vitamin B12 in the small bowel, as can infestation with tapeworms or other intestinal parasites....

"Use of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine levels in the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency has led to some surprising findings..."

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0301/p979.html

[karsten]

My aunt has a tapeworm when she was in her middle 20's. She lives in Germany and it was in the late 1950's when it happened. She got really skinny. Back then the doctor suspected the problem. She was put on a strict diet of salted herring. Apparently, these parasites can't tolerate the excess salt and it came out after about a week or so.

It was a scary event from what she told me. The tapeworm was very large. I think tapeworms are pretty rare, but it is possible.

[mrsD]

With sushi now popular, the fish tapeworm is more common.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphyllobothrium

There is also a beef tapeworm, and that is less common in US.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taenia_saginata

I bet it was truly unpleasant for your aunt. Parasitical diseases are
all rather creepy!

[NeuroLogic]

I was going to get tested in 1996, but I moved, and still haven't got around to it.

Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, in his book From Fatigued to Fantastic, says:

"Most laboratories miss parasites when they do stool testing." (p. 133)

He tells how he'd send samples to local labs, which had a good rep, and they'd come back negative. So he stopped testing. But then he decided to do his own tests, and even though they'd take as long as five hours, they'd be positive.

The reason why so many labs fail? He says a technician told him their training lasts only one hour!

Bottom line: choose a lab that specializes in parasitology. Two he likes are: Parasitology Center and Genova Labs (formerly Great Smokies).

I just read that parasitic infections can cause chronic inflammation, so I think I'm going to get tested. (I went off gluten, milk, sugar, and foods that I was allergic to for six months, but still have what appears to be chronic inflammation.)

[karsten]

Testing for parasites is not a bad idea and is probably overlooked in most cases.

My current investigative path is on the subject of MTHFR gene polymorphism. It appears that a very significant portion of the human population (maybe 20-35%) have a genetic mutation that inhibits the production of converting synthetic folic acid into the active form of L 5 methyl-tetrahydrofolate. I have also read that these mutations can cause synthetic folic acid to compete with the active form thus causing a deficiency in that individual despite them supplementing with both types on a daily basis. That is the part that got my attention. My B-complex, country life Ad12, and multi-vitamins all had folic acid which I took everyday. I also took Metafolin which is the active form. Could there be a problem where the synthetic form neutralizes the active type through competition in the MTHR process? I have read of this ocuring in some patients where it was resolved by them taking the active form only. This phenomena appears to be getting more attention by the medical community. It might be more prevalent than we think.

My history of using acid blockers for many years combined with too much drinking likely effected my nutritional absorption of B12, folate, etc.

Folate deficiency can mimic the same symptons as B12 deficiency as stated in the article below:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1171558-clinical


I removed all synthetic forms of folate ( except those found in some foods like bread) from my diet and now use the active form. This started about 3-4 months ago.

My memory the last couple months has made a noticeable improvement. My overall PN symptoms also have diminished somewhat. Time will tell if I'm on the right path.

The simple fact that MTHFR gene polymorphisms are so common should be something other people consider and look at. Also, consider using just the active form of folate in lieu of the synthetic type.