Guest guest Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Hi Sue, Hope this helps. It is better than me trying to explain it all and is from a good site. Dawn Caution: Folic Acid and vitamin B12 deficiency Folic acid can correct the anemia that is caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. Unfortunately, folic acid will not correct the nerve damage also caused by vitamin B12 deficiency [1,36]. Permanent nerve damage can occur if vitamin B12 deficiency is not treated. Folic acid intake from food and supplements should not exceed 1,000 ìg daily in healthy individuals because large amounts of folic acid can trigger the damaging effects of vitamin B12 deficiency [7]. Adults older than 50 years who take a folic acid supplement should ask their physician or qualified health care provider about their need for additional vitamin B12. What is the relationship between vitamin B12 homocysteine, and cardiovascular disease? Cardiovascular disease involves any disorder of the heart and blood vessels that make up the cardiovascular system. Coronary heart disease occurs when blood vessels which supply the heart become clogged or blocked, increasing the risk of a heart attack. Vascular damage can also occur to blood vessels supplying the brain, and can result in a stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in industrialized countries such as the United States, and is on the rise in developing countries. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health has identified many risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including an elevated LDL- cholesterol level, high blood pressure, a low HDL-cholesterol level, obesity, and diabetes [37]. In recent years, researchers have identified another risk factor for cardiovascular disease: an elevated homocysteine level. Homocysteine is an amino acid normally found in blood, but elevated levels have been linked with coronary heart disease and stroke [38-47]. Elevated homocysteine levels may impair endothelial vasomotor function, which determines how easily blood flows through blood vessels. High levels of homocysteine also may damage coronary arteries and make it easier for blood clotting cells called platelets to clump together and form a clot, which may lead to a heart attack [43]. Vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin B6 are involved in homocysteine metabolism. In fact, a deficiency of vitamin B12, folate, or vitamin B6 may increase blood levels of homocysteine. Recent studies found that vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements decreased homocysteine levels in subjects with vascular disease and in young adult women. The most significant drop in homocysteine level was seen when folic acid was taken alone [48-49]. A significant decrease in homocysteine levels also occurred in older men and women who took a multivitamin/ multimineral supplement for 8 weeks [50]. The supplement taken provided 100% of Daily Values (DVs) for nutrients in the supplement. Evidence supports a role for folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements for lowering homocysteine levels, however this does not mean that these supplements will decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Clinical intervention trials are underway to determine whether folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 supplements can lower risk of coronary heart disease. It is premature to recommend vitamin B12 supplements for the prevention of heart disease until results of ongoing randomized clinical trials positively link increased vitamin B12 intake from supplements with decreased homocysteine levels AND decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Do healthy young adults need a vitamin B12 supplement? It is generally accepted that older adults are at greater risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency than younger adults. One study, however, suggests that the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in young adults may be greater than previously thought. This study found that the percentage of subjects in three age groups (26-49 years, 50-64 years, and 65 years and older) with deficient blood levels of vitamin B12 was similar across all age groups but that symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency were not as apparent in younger adults. This study also suggested that those who did not take a supplement containing vitamin B12 were twice as likely to be vitamin B12 deficient as supplement users, regardless of age group. However, people who did not use supplements but did eat fortified cereal more than 4 times per week appeared to be protected from deficient blood levels of vitamin B12. Better tools and standards to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiencies are needed to make specific recommendations about the appropriateness of vitamin B12 supplements for younger adults [51]. What is the health risk of too much vitamin B12? The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies did not establish a UL for this vitamin because vitamin B12 has a very low potential for toxicity. The IOM states that " no adverse effects have been associated with excess vitamin B12 intake from food and supplements in healthy individuals " [7]. In fact, the IOM recommends that adults older than 50 years get most of their vitamin B12 from vitamin supplements or fortified food because of the high incidence of impaired absorption in this age group of vitamin B12 from foods that come from animals [7]. Selecting a healthful diet As the 2000 Dietary Guidelines for Americans states, " Different foods contain different nutrients and other healthful substances. No single food can supply all the nutrients in the amounts you need " [52]. For more information about building a healthful diet, refer to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans http://www.usda.gov/cnpp/DietGd.pdf [52] and the US Department of Agriculture's MyPyramid food guidance system http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/Fpyr/pyramid.html [53]. About ODS and the NIH Clinical Center General Safety Advisory Disclaimer Print-friendly version Posted Date: 10/7/2004 Updated: 4/26/2006 10:11 AM References Herbert V. Vitamin B12 in Present Knowledge in Nutrition. 17th ed. Washington, D.C.: International Life Sciences Institute Press, 1996. > > > > > > > > > > > Wow, Cindy, I knew it was important, but not that important. Mine is 13.4 on > > a scale of 3.3-10.2 so it's quite elevated. I'm on Cardio-B which is B12, B6 > > and Folate. Thanks for telling me, I'll be more diligent about taking it. > > What actually causes the elevation? I had a stress echo last year and they > > said everything was fine. How long should it take for the B's to bring it > > down?... Judy > > > > It is of utmost importance that you get your homocysteine levels lowered !! > > It is actully a much better test of possible heart attack then cholestrol !!! > > I know this because I have done the research due to having had a heart attack > > & dying during it !!! My cholestrol was ONLY 127. But the Homocycteine was 12 > > on a scale of 1 to 15. I had no clue about homocystine before the heart > > attack. > > > > You lower it by taking the B COMPLEX, which is all the numbers, 6, 12, ect, > > you also need Folic acid. > > > \ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Thanks Dawn I just checked my bloodwork from April and my homocysteine levels are at 6.5. Sue Hi Sue, Hope this helps. It is better than me trying to explain it all and is from a good site. Dawn Caution: Folic Acid and vitamin B12 deficiency Connect with others. .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 >> Do I have to worry about exercising while I wait for these numbers to> come down? Judy, No you don't need to worry about exercise, it is important to exercise, it will help to lower the homocycstine too, as it is also very good for your heart, etc. I never really looked into how long you need to take the B complex & folic acid for it to change the numbers, but the piece that Dawn posted said 8 weeks. I will be taking it until I die, I'm not taking any chances.....lol.... Also, if any doc ever tells you not to take it tell him to stick it up his hinney. Years ago I read a readers digest & the person said,"People who argue with thier doctors live longer then those who don't," I never forgot that & it has served me well. My wonderful doctor that retired told me,"I am not worried about you at all, you take the time to find out for yourself & you don't believe everything I tell you". Most doc's think they are little God's & know everything it is very important that we take it upon ourselves to learn about ourselves, bring articles to the Doctor office if you have too. Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Thanks Cindy, I will remember that. I've always been very complacent with doctors. I try to stand up to them, but then I back down quickly. I won't do that again. Here there are many to choose from, but back in Canada now you're lucky to get on a docs list and so you don't rock the boat much while you're there. As for the Cardio-B, my new doctor actually gave it to me. That and 'Digestive Gold' to aid my liver and 'Tri-Salts' to lower my acidity (cal, mag, pot). He seems to be on the ball and is not into prescription meds unless necessary. He's a Doctor of Osteopathy and runs a wellness clinic. I will keep taking them even if I have to switch docs. I also take Maca Root for menopause, MSM, Vitalert Multi, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Omega 3-6-9 and Garlic. Anything there I should worry about?... Judy Also, if any doc ever tells you not to take it tell him to stick it up his hinney. Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 HELLO EVERYONE IM WANDA AND IM NEW TO THE GROUP.... I HAVELOOKED THRU ALL THE PI'S ON HERE AND I MUST SAY EVERYONE LOOKS BEAUTIFUL BEFORE AND SURE NUFF AFTERWARDS. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY I MAKE THAT STEP. IS THERE ANYONE THAT IS CLOSE TO ME THAT HAD THE OPERATION DONE? I HAVE TALKED TOTHE SURGENT AND HIS LADY THAT WORK WITH HIM..HE SEEM REALLY NICE AND SHE HAS HAD THE SURGERY. AND NOW LOOKS GREAT. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST OVER 100+ LBS. DO U HAVE TO HAVE TUCKS LIKE(ARMS AND STOMACH,ETC)..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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