Vitamin B12

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This vitamin is a needed adjunct in producing normal red blood cells. If

you have a low serum B12 level (which indicates a low body level of B12)

your red blood cells develop too large (what we call macrocytosis). The

same thing happens if you don't have enough folate (folic acid) in your

diet. A sore tongue may be a symptom of B12 deficiency. The tongue in

this condition is smooth and beefy red in colour. A simple blood test

can detect a vitamin B12 deficiency, which is easily corrected by

increasing the amount of this vitamin in your diet (or taking an oral

supplement). Or if the cause is pernicious anemia where the intrinsic

factor, supplied by your stomachs cells, is not being produced. In this

case you need to have vitamin B12 injections.

But first you need to have a firm diagnosis. By the way, those with

Vitamin B12 and Folate deficiency should not take SAMe as they risk

severe atherosclerosis (heart disease).

Aubrey