Vitamin B-12

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynn,

How much did you say you were taking a day?

Regards,

Sharon (Ontario) Canada

Vitamin B-12

I got some off-list mail about B-12, so I'll post a little info here...

In a nutshell, because Type O's are prone to digestive disorders

(we are hunter/gatherers living in a world of processed food) we

don't get enough B-12 in our diets. Food-wise, B-12 is found in

animal tissues, so we have a leg up there. But if you have

digestive problems, like me, you're not able to properly absorb it.

From Prescription for Nutritional Healing: " Vitamin B-12 is

needed to prevent anemia. It aids folic acid in regulating the

formation of red blood cells, and helps in the utilization of iron.

It's also required for prooper digestion, absorption of foods, and

synthesis of protein, and the metabolism of carbohydrates and

fats. ... Vitamin B-12 is linked to the production of acetylcholine, a

neuro-transmitter that assists memory and learning. Vitamin

B-12 supplementation has been shown to enhance sleep

patterns, allowing for more restful and refreshing sleep. "

The reason nutritionists emphasize taking sublingual

B-12/B-6/Folic is because they all work together, and sublingual

is the next best thing to getting B-12 injections. It's something

you need to take daily, and take it three times a day because the

body is quick to flush it out. " No Shot " by Superior Source was

recommended to me because of the ingredients (it uses Stevia

for sweetening, for instance).

Back to Type O's - Impaired digestion leads to malabsorption

because if food is not broken down properly the nutrients it

contains cannot be absorbed through the lining of the intestines.

If you aren't properly absorbing B vitamins, that means your body

isn't transferring amino acids across the intestinal lining and this

interferes with the production of needed digestive enzymes. And

then you have a vicious cycle.

For me, though I only just started taking it three weeks ago, I'm

sleeping MUCH better, and falling asleep faster. I have more

energy. And I feel more alert. I know I have a long road ahead to

get to the source of my inability to absorb iron, but every doctor

and every health practitioner I've talked to has told me that those

with digestive disorders have a particular need for sublingual

B-12/B-6/Folic.

Just thought I'd pass that on.

Lynn

[Guest guest]

" No Shot " by Superior Source

Other Ingredients: Lactose, Natural Cherry Flavor and Acacia Gum.

Acacia Gum is an avoid.

Vitamin B-12

" No Shot " by Superior Source was

recommended to me because of the ingredients (it uses Stevia

for sweetening, for instance).

[Guest guest]

> " No Shot " by Superior Source

> Other Ingredients: Lactose, Natural Cherry Flavor and Acacia

Gum.

>

> Acacia Gum is an avoid.

Call me a bad Type O diet participant, but my body's in big

trouble. Acacia Gum is the very least of my worries.

Lynn

[Guest guest]

> " No Shot " by Superior Source

> Other Ingredients: Lactose, Natural Cherry Flavor and Acacia

Gum.

>

> Acacia Gum is an avoid.

Call me a bad Type O diet participant, but my body's in big

trouble. Acacia Gum is the very least of my worries.

Lynn

[Guest guest]

> How much did you say you were taking a day?

Hi Sharon, I take a lot. I take 3000 mcg of B-12 per day (1

micro-tablet = 1000 mcg), 6 mg of B-6 (1 tablet = 2 mg), and

1200 mcg of Folic Acid (1 tablet = 400 mcg). In other words, I

take 1 micro-tab 3 times per day.

This is because I am suffering from very low iron stores, and my

body isn't absorbing iron. A deficiency of either Iron or B-6 can

decrease the amount of B-12 the body is able to absorb. Note

that Calcium is needed to help the body absorb B-12.

You can't OD on B-12. The body flushes out what it doesn't use.

My iron deficiency was causing me to feel unbelievably horrible. I

have long suffered from fibromyalgia, and it got much worse. I

was getting shivers and shakes, flu-like symptoms, dizziness,

restless leg syndrome, horrible headaches, EXTREME fatigue...

the list goes on. Maybe I'm imagining things but I think the B

vitamins are helping me absorb iron because my restless leg

syndrome has stopped. I'm feeling a bit better, all over.

Lynn

[Guest guest]

There is always the BEST B-12 from NAP. No avoids.

www.dadamo.com <http://www.dadamo.com/>

ABO Specifics Inc. - http://www.foodforyourblood.com

Re: Vitamin B-12

> " No Shot " by Superior Source

> Other Ingredients: Lactose, Natural Cherry Flavor and Acacia

Gum.

>

> Acacia Gum is an avoid.

Call me a bad Type O diet participant, but my body's in big

trouble. Acacia Gum is the very least of my worries.

Lynn

[Guest guest]

The acacia gum could add to your nutrient absorption problems. There are

cleaner sources of sublingual B12.

Re: Vitamin B-12

> " No Shot " by Superior Source

> Other Ingredients: Lactose, Natural Cherry Flavor and Acacia

Gum.

>

> Acacia Gum is an avoid.

Call me a bad Type O diet participant, but my body's in big

trouble. Acacia Gum is the very least of my worries.

Lynn

[Guest guest]

> The acacia gum could add to your nutrient absorption

problems. There are

> cleaner sources of sublingual B12.

If you could make a couple suggestions, I would be grateful. I

did an exhaustive search before getting No Shot and it seems

like a brand either used acacia gum, or sorbitol (which makes

me nauseous.) So it was the lesser of two evils.

I need one that includes B-6 and Folic.

Lynn

[Guest guest]

I thought that B vitamins had to be balanced and that you shouldn't take too

many of 1 type. Am I wrong about that?

Re: Vitamin B-12

> How much did you say you were taking a day?

Hi Sharon, I take a lot. I take 3000 mcg of B-12 per day (1

micro-tablet = 1000 mcg), 6 mg of B-6 (1 tablet = 2 mg), and

1200 mcg of Folic Acid (1 tablet = 400 mcg). In other words, I

take 1 micro-tab 3 times per day.

This is because I am suffering from very low iron stores, and my

body isn't absorbing iron. A deficiency of either Iron or B-6 can

decrease the amount of B-12 the body is able to absorb. Note

that Calcium is needed to help the body absorb B-12.

You can't OD on B-12. The body flushes out what it doesn't use.

My iron deficiency was causing me to feel unbelievably horrible. I

have long suffered from fibromyalgia, and it got much worse. I

was getting shivers and shakes, flu-like symptoms, dizziness,

restless leg syndrome, horrible headaches, EXTREME fatigue...

the list goes on. Maybe I'm imagining things but I think the B

vitamins are helping me absorb iron because my restless leg

syndrome has stopped. I'm feeling a bit better, all over.

Lynn

[Guest guest]

World Organics B-12 liquid with stevia. Has B-12 and folic acid. No B-6 but

that is easy to get other ways. The best I can think of off hand.

KM

Lynn Hoskins <lhoskins@...> wrote:

> The acacia gum could add to your nutrient absorption

problems. There are

> cleaner sources of sublingual B12.

If you could make a couple suggestions, I would be grateful. I

did an exhaustive search before getting No Shot and it seems

like a brand either used acacia gum, or sorbitol (which makes

me nauseous.) So it was the lesser of two evils.

I need one that includes B-6 and Folic.

Lynn

[Guest guest]

> I thought that B vitamins had to be balanced and that you

shouldn't take too many of 1 type. Am I wrong about that?

Sorry, I forgot to mention that it's important to also take a B

Complex. I take Soloray Mega B-Stress. It's got C, B-1

(Thiamine), B-2 (Riboflavin), B-3 (Niacinamide), B-6 (Pyridoxine),

Folic Acid, B-12, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, and a few other things.

It's two-stage, time-release - my body is run-down and can't

handle all that stuff in one blast. I'm adding the extra

B-12/B-6/Folic because of all my digestion problems. But loads

of healthy people take the B-12/B-6/Folic because it helps them

sleep better, gives them improved mental clarity, more energy,

and other benefits.

Lynn

[Guest guest]

What is balanced? Brewer's yeast doesn't come balanced. We all have

different needs. More important to use natural b vitamins.

Brewer's yeast tabs/powder or New Chapter & Megafood brands

ABO Specifics Inc. - http://www.foodforyourblood.com

Re: Re: Vitamin B-12

I thought that B vitamins had to be balanced and that you shouldn't take

too many of 1 type. Am I wrong about that?

Re: Vitamin B-12

> How much did you say you were taking a day?

Hi Sharon, I take a lot. I take 3000 mcg of B-12 per day (1

micro-tablet = 1000 mcg), 6 mg of B-6 (1 tablet = 2 mg), and

1200 mcg of Folic Acid (1 tablet = 400 mcg). In other words, I

take 1 micro-tab 3 times per day.

This is because I am suffering from very low iron stores, and my

body isn't absorbing iron. A deficiency of either Iron or B-6 can

decrease the amount of B-12 the body is able to absorb. Note

that Calcium is needed to help the body absorb B-12.

You can't OD on B-12. The body flushes out what it doesn't use.

My iron deficiency was causing me to feel unbelievably horrible. I

have long suffered from fibromyalgia, and it got much worse. I

was getting shivers and shakes, flu-like symptoms, dizziness,

restless leg syndrome, horrible headaches, EXTREME fatigue...

the list goes on. Maybe I'm imagining things but I think the B

vitamins are helping me absorb iron because my restless leg

syndrome has stopped. I'm feeling a bit better, all over.

Lynn

[Guest guest]

> I thought that B vitamins had to be balanced and that you shouldn't take

> too many of 1 type. Am I wrong about that?

Sharon,

Some of the B vitamins are excreted in a specific ratio. This means if

you get an excess of one of those, and the body tries to get rid of the

excess, it will also be forced to get rid of some of the the others you

did not supplement possibly causing a deficiency in those other ones.

Three that work together this way are B1, B2, and B6.

So if you need for example extra B6 due to stress or fibromyalgia or to

help absorb magnesium or for hemorhoids or constipation or etc etc etc

- then by all means take a hefty amount of B6 - but also take a little

B1 and B2, incase some is needed to excrete excess B6. You do not want

to be left with a B1 or B2 deficiency.

In my view the best way to do this is to supplement the B vitamin that

you need extra of, and take a B complex vitiamin with all the B's for

that " insurance " you need against deficiency due to excretion of excess.

that way you will not excrete " the last you had " of some B vitamin or other.

Namaste,

Irene

--

Irene de Villiers, B.Sc; AASCA; MCSSA; D.I.Hom.

P.O.Box 4703, Spokane, WA 99220-0703.

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html

Veterinary Homeopath and Feline Information Counsellor.

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much, Irene. That is the type of thing that I had heard in the past

and the reason for trying to balance B's.

Regards,

Sharon (Ontario) Canada

Re: Re: Vitamin B-12

> I thought that B vitamins had to be balanced and that you shouldn't take

> too many of 1 type. Am I wrong about that?

Sharon,

Some of the B vitamins are excreted in a specific ratio. This means if

you get an excess of one of those, and the body tries to get rid of the

excess, it will also be forced to get rid of some of the the others you

did not supplement possibly causing a deficiency in those other ones.

Three that work together this way are B1, B2, and B6.

So if you need for example extra B6 due to stress or fibromyalgia or to

help absorb magnesium or for hemorhoids or constipation or etc etc etc

- then by all means take a hefty amount of B6 - but also take a little

B1 and B2, incase some is needed to excrete excess B6. You do not want

to be left with a B1 or B2 deficiency.

In my view the best way to do this is to supplement the B vitamin that

you need extra of, and take a B complex vitiamin with all the B's for

that " insurance " you need against deficiency due to excretion of excess.

that way you will not excrete " the last you had " of some B vitamin or other.

Namaste,

Irene

--

Irene de Villiers, B.Sc; AASCA; MCSSA; D.I.Hom.

P.O.Box 4703, Spokane, WA 99220-0703.

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html

Veterinary Homeopath and Feline Information Counsellor.

[Guest guest]

Sharon Ferris wrote:

> Thanks so much, Irene. That is the type of thing that I had heard in the past

and the reason for trying to balance B's.

>

Welcome:-))

Namaste,

Irene

[Guest guest]

I give myself B12 shots about monthly. Sometimes less just depends on how I am

feeling. There are actually several things that B12 can help with. Some of

them being headaches and energy levels. Do some research on the internet. Dr

Mercola's website is a very good resourceful place to look. Oral B12 isn't as

efficient as the shot. How deficient you are also will depend how much

difference you will feel. Some people get this huge rush, but I don't.

________________________________

From: [mailto: ]

On Behalf Of k.polus

Sent: Saturday, April 11, 2009 8:56 AM

Subject: Vitamin B-12

Hey Everyone- I went to the doctor the other day (not my lap-band doc, I can't

afford to go there) I was just having a checkup for some women stuff (fun I

know) and the Dr suggested that I get my vitamin b-12 levels checked because she

felt that because of my lap-band I needed a higher level of Vitamin B-12, the

dr's office called yesterday to let me know that I needed to come in for a B-12

shot... I need to call back to get my actually levels and understand more about

this. has anyone else needed a shot? What should our levels be at? Does a B-12

shot actually work or should I be faithfully taking some vitamins and eating

stuff with this vitamin or fortified with it instead? I plan on getting some

good vitamins next week I'm not sure what they are called I just know they are

good or have heard they are...

Please let me know your thoughts on this B-12 thing

Thanks everyone!

[Guest guest]

The band does not cause B-12 deficiency. The stomach is intact, and we can

absorb B-12 fine from the food we eat. It is not true at all that we absorb

injections better than oral tablets.

It is only the bypass and DS people, with altered stomachs, who cannot absorb

B-12.

A B-12 deficiency is very rare, although some people do have a type of anemia

that is not band or WLS related called " pernicious anemia. " This is a medical

condition that can require B-12 supplementation and regular follwoing by an MD.

Other GI disorders like Crohn's disease or Celiac Sprue can also cause a B-12

deficiency. These have nothing to do with having had WLS.

Some drugs like reflux meds (which we should not be taking much , especially

long term - we need to cure the REFLUX) can sometimes cause a B-12 deficiency,

as can glucophage. All deficiencies must be documented before we simply start on

our own to take any suppleent, Many are dangerous.

B-12 is part of the B vitamins we should all be taking anyway, and we only need

a tiny amount. I recommend the Bariatric Advantage Band vitamins. More in the

Vitamin document here, as well as a less expensive online

If we are eating a good bandster diet, we easily get the B-12 we need, unless we

have one of these illnesses. We should only be taking injections if we have a

documented deficiency and are being followed by a doctor. If B-12 deficiency is

diagnosewd by a doctor, people usually need shots to replenish the B-12 stores,

then are managed fine on oral meds.

Bandsters DO need folic acid - 800 mcg a day - and more than 1000 mcg which is

easily posible with a good Vit plus good food intake - can result in a B-12

deficiency. This is one of many reasons we should never take excess vits and

supplements - only what is needed.

more on B-12 deficiency here:

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12.asp

Sandy R, BSN, MN

at goal 5+ yrs

band educator

>

> Hey Everyone- I went to the doctor the other day (not my lap-band doc, I can't

afford to go there) I was just having a checkup for some women stuff (fun I

know) and the Dr suggested that I get my vitamin b-12 levels checked because she

felt that because of my lap-band I needed a higher level of Vitamin B-12, the

dr's office called yesterday to let me know that I needed to come in for a B-12

shot... I need to call back to get my actually levels and understand more about

this. has anyone else needed a shot? What should our levels be at? Does a B-12

shot actually work or should I be faithfully taking some vitamins and eating

stuff with this vitamin or fortified with it instead? I plan on getting some

good vitamins next week I'm not sure what they are called I just know they are

good or have heard they are...

> Please let me know your thoughts on this B-12 thing

> Thanks everyone!

>

[Guest guest]

Something I found of interest and wasn't aware of is that there are two types of Vitamin B12, Hydroxocobalamin or Cyanocobalamin. It appears from this article that hydroxocobalamin is the one we want if we are going to supplement our diets with Vit B-12. Vitamin B-12 is an essential nutrient needed to make red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body, the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve cells, and various proteins. It also plays a role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Yet, despite its importance to overall health, vitamin B-12 deficiency is relatively common. It is estimated that up to 15% of the general population may be deficient in B-12 - and more among those with chronic illnesses.In order for the B-12 obtained from food to be absorbed it must attach to a protein called intrinsic factor, which is secreted in the stomach. Unfortunately, a number of things can inhibit the secretion of intrinsic factor, which in turn blocks the absorption of B-12 and results in a vitamin B-12 deficiency. A B-12 deficiency can be difficult to diagnose because serum blood levels of B-12 may test normal. Having circulating B-12 in blood doesn't mean it is being utilized properly by the body's cells. Some doctors suggest that a test measuring methylmalonyl coenzyme A levels in the urine gives a more accurate reading of B-12's availability in the body. Many of the symptoms fibromyalgia and ME/CFS patients report are also symptoms of a B-12 deficiency - cognitive functioning problems, memory loss, and fatigue to name a few. Is that merely a coincidence or is there a connection? In a 1997 study of 12 patients with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS: Most had little or no detectable B-12 in their cerebrospinal fluid - despite the fact that all had normal B-12 blood levels.When it comes to oral supplementation of B-12, sublingual tablets are the best option because they are absorbed directly into the mucous membrane and don't have to go through the digestion process, which is often the cause of the deficiency to begin with. http://www.prohealth.com/ep/EP041111/index.cfm?slvor=10621.1037224.0.1.0.382841 & eid=jaynelcrocker Jayne Crocker www.LDNNow.comImportant! Please sign our LDN petition to the European Parliament by clicking heretel: +44 (0) 7877 492 669Dr Steele MBE, talking about LDNLDNNow are a political/pressure group of individuals dedicated to getting Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) accepted into modern medicine and trialled for the myriad of uses it shows benefit for. .