Posts tagged ‘developmental delay’
Getting Back to Basics – The Benefits of B12
Life in the world of nutrition can be a confusing array of supplements, dietary guidelines, foods you can eat, foods you can’t etc…… At SimpyNutrients we hope that you have found a great nutritional advisor whether that be your nutritionist, chiropractor or other health care professional that can help guide and recommend the right balance of nutrition to keep your body working like a well oiled machine. We’ll attempt to do our part here on the blog to provide you some new insights into how we might achieve a healthier you. We’re starting off today with B12.
Vitamin B12 and folic acid are two of the most significant vitamins in the B-vitamin complex. These two vitamins play an essential role in healthy central nervous system function for individuals of all ages. In addition, vitamin BI2 and folic acid have long been recognized as commonly deficient in individuals with a variety of neuropsychiatry and hematological abnormalities.
ADVANTAGES
- THERAPEUTIC RANGE: Contains lOOOmcg of both B12 and folic acid per dose; making therapeautic supplementation easily reachable.
- SUBLINGUAL DELIVERY SYSTEM: Sublingual B12 is a form of the vitamin that is taken under the tongue. The advantage of sublingual vitamins is improved absorption. In the case of B12, this method of administration is often better for seniors who frequently have trouble absorbing the vitamin from the stomach. Hydrochloric acid insufficiency, which is common in seniors, decreases production of intrinsic factor, which is essential for absorbing B12 from the stomach.
- COMPREHENSIVE: The inclusion of B12 with folic acid is important to ensure that B12 deficiency isn’t masked by solely supplementing folic acid.
- FOLIC ACID & DEPRESSION: Disorders associated with low folate include anemia, developmental delay, depression, dementia, and myelopathy.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Research has connected B12 and folic acid to improvement of:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Depression
- Hyperhomocysteinuria
- Anemia
- Dementia
- Neurologic Problems
Who else may need a vitamin B12 supplement to prevent a deficiency?
- Individuals with pernicious anemialO or with gastrointestinal disordersl may benefit from or reouire a vitamin B12 supplement.
- Older adults and vegetarians may benefit from a vitamin B12 supplement or an increased intake of foods fortified with vitamin B12.
- Some medications may decrease absorption of vitamin B12. Chronic use of those medications may result in a need for additional vitamin B12.
FOLIC ACID AND CANCER
Folate helps produce and maintain new cells. This is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth such as infancy and pregnancy. Folate is needed to make DNA and RNA, the building blocks of cells. It also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer.
HOMOCYSTEINE AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Increased intake of folic acid and vitamin BI2 has been found to decrease homocysteine levels. Several randomized placebo-controlled trials are presently being conducted to determine whether homocysteine lowering through folic acid and other B vitamin supplementation reduces the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. The results of more than SO studies indicate that even moderately
elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.4 The amount of homocysteine in the blood is regulated by at least three vitamins: folate, vitamin BI2, and vitamin B6. Analysis of the results of 12 homocysteine-lowering trials showed folic acid supplementation (0.5-5 mg/day) had the greatest lowering effect on blood homocysteine levels (25% decrease); co-supplementation with folic acid and vitamin BI2 (mean 0.5 mg/day or 500 meg/day) provided an additional 7% reduction (32% decrease) in blood homocysteine concentrations. The results of a sequential supplementation trial in 53 men and women indicated that after folic acid supplementation, vitamin BI2 became the major determinant of plasma homocysteine levels.5 Some evidence indicates that vitamin B12 deficiency is a major cause of elevated homocysteine levels in people over the age of 60.
MICRONUTRIENT PROFILE
B12 is important for the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system and for the formation of blood. It is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell in the body, especially affecting the DNAsynthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production.
FOLIC ACID: Folate is necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells. This is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth, such as infancy and pregnancy. Folate is needed to replicate DNA. Thus, folate deficiency hinders DNA synthesis and cell division, affecting most clinically the bone marrow, a site of rapid cell turnover. Because RNA and protein synthesis are not hindered by folate deficiency, large red blood cells called megaloblasts are produced, resulting in megaloblastic anemia. Both adults and children need folate to make normal red blood cells and prevent anemia.
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