Fwd: Methylcobalamin: by Ray Sahelian, M.D., cobalamin benefits

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Press blue link for info; the article states Vitmain B12 by mouth is effective

at preventing or reversing a Vitamin B12 Deficiencey; Mothers need Vitamin B12

also.

Methylcobalamin Research Update

Oral supplements of vitamin B12 appear to correct vitamin B12 deficiencies as

well as B12 injections. However, in order to correct a deficiency, oral doses

need to contain more than 200 times the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of

vitamin B12. Study author Dr. Lisette C. P. G. M. de Groot of Wageningen

University in the Netherlands explained that most people develop vitamin B12

deficiencies as a result of " malabsorption, " in which their bodies become unable

to extract vitamin B12 from food. The deficiency typically strikes older people,

she added, and takes years to develop. In some instances, people who avoid

animal products -- such as vegans and followers of a macrobiotic diet -- can

also develop a deficiency in vitamin B12 as a result of not eating enough

B12-rich foods. A vitamin B12 deficiency is typically treated by monthly, often

painful, shots. To investigate whether an oral dose of vitamin B12 works, as

well, they tested various daily doses of oral vitamin B12

supplements in 120 people aged 70 and older. They found that daily oral doses

of 647 to 1032 micrograms of vitamin B12 appeared to correct the deficiency. The

current RDA for vitamin B12 is 3 micrograms per day. SOURCE: Archives of

Internal Medicine, May 23, 2005.

Mothers with low levels of vitamin B12 in their blood are at increased risk of

having an infant with spina bifida -- a birth defect in which the spinal cord

fails to form properly. Based on previous research, pregnancy guidelines

recommend that women consume enough folic acid to reduce the risk of spina

bifida and related problems. The new findings suggest that these guidelines

should also include recommendations about vitamin B12.

Subject: Methylcobalamin: by Ray Sahelian, M.D., cobalamin benefits

http://www.raysahelian.com/methylcobalamin.html