Need a pharmaceutical-grade B-12 sublingual?
Supplemental forms of Vitamin B-12:
- Cyanocobalamin (this form is poorly utilized by the body)
- Methylcobalamin (most effective form of supplementation)
- Adenosylcobalamin
- Hydroxycobalamin
Signs & Symptoms of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Infertility
- Joint and muscle Pain
- Nerve pain (neuropathy) – often manifests as numbness and tingling in the feet
- Depression
Vitamin B-12 has been shown to be beneficial in the following conditions:
- Cancer – especially those going through chemotherapy
- Depression
- Anemia
- Chronic fatigue
- Chronic muscle pain
- Cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis
- Recovery from surgery
- Nerve damage
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Fatty Liver
- Diabetes
- Dementias
Drugs/Medications that deplete or interfere with Vitamin B-12:
- H2 antagonists such as Cimetidine (Tagamet) – decreases stomach acidity
- Proton pump inhibitors (Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix, Aciphex, Nexium)
- Antacids and other stomach acid lowering medications
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Metformin (Glucophage) for diabetes
- Barbiturates, such as Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin (Dilantin)
- Alcohol
- Possibly Caffeine (diuretic)
Laboratory testing to detect Vitamin B-12 deficiency:
- Serum B-12 (poor and inadequate. Unfortunately, this is the test that most doctors use)
- Homocysteine levels
- Methylmalonic acid testing
- Schilling’s Test – pernicious anemia 24-hour urine (radioactive cobalt)
- Lymphocyte Proliferation Test – this is the most reliable measure (Spectracell Labs)
Food Sources:
- Vitamin B-12 is only found in animal meats. Beef, chicken, fish, eggs, etc. Vegan diets do not contain vitamin B-12 without supplementation.