B-12 / Please Read - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

RX4FUN · 05-23-2002, 04:18 PM

Hi all!

I do not have MS, but my cousin was just diagnosed and I have been doing some research on treatment options. I came across this article and felt I should post it on here for you all to read. It's about B-12 deficiency and how it's linked to MS. Anyway, from what I've heard on B-12 deficiency and after reading several articles like this, I would strongly recommend anyone with MS or symptoms like MS to get their B-12 levels checked if you haven't already.

Anyway, I wish you all the best! I suffer w/ chronic nerve pain and severe vascular problems, so I can identify.

Rx4fun

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

The first step when you receive a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is to determine if you really have MS. A vitamin B-12 deficiency has very similar symptoms and is frequently misdiagnosed as MS. The type of anemia resulting from B-12 deficiency is called pernicious anemia.

Neurologic damage may become permanent when the disorder is mistaken for multiple sclerosis or diabetic neuropathy--hence the need for prompt parenteral B12 in patients with pernicious anemia. The need for B12 injections is questionable for patients with achlorhydria and for those with a marginal or low serum B12 level but no signs or symptoms of deficiency.

There seems to be more than misdiagnosis when it comes to B-12. Studies show that B-12 deficiency is very central to MS. As this study states, "There is a significant association between MS and disturbed vitamin B12 metabolism."
Arch Neurol 1992 Jun;49(6):649-52

Vitamin B12 metabolism in multiple sclerosis.

We have previously described 10 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and unusual vitamin B12 deficiency. We have therefore studied vitamin B12 metabolism in 29 consecutive cases of MS, 17 neurological controls, and 31 normal subjects. Patients with MS had significantly lower serum vitamin B12 levels and significantly higher unsaturated R-binder capacities than neurological and normal controls, and they were significantly macrocytic compared with normal controls. Nine patients with MS had serum vitamin B12 levels less than 147 pmol/L and, in the absence of anemia, this subgroup was significantly macrocytic and had significantly lower red blood cell folate levels than neurological and normal controls. Nine patients with MS had raised plasma unsaturated R-binder capacities, including three patients with very high values. There is a significant association between MS and disturbed vitamin B12 metabolism. Vitamin B12 deficiency should always be looked for in patients with MS. The cause of the vitamin B12 disorder and the nature of the overlap with MS deserve further investigation. Coexisting vitamin B12 deficiency might aggravate MS or impair recovery from MS.

PMID: 1596201, UI: 92281466
Multiple sclerosis involves a deficiency in the production of the myelin sheath that protects the nerves. The following study states "vitamin B12 is required for the formation of myelin." This is pretty strong evidence that MS is a disease caused by nutrient deficiencies including vitamin B-12.

LHowells · 05-26-2002, 08:11 PM

Hiya RX4FUN I posted a question for youuu under this other question: [url="http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/Forum84/HTML/000272.html"]http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/Forum84/HTML/000272.html[/url]
I went seaching for foods containing Vitamin B-12 and came up with this site: [url="http://www.hoptechno.com/book29e.htm"]http://www.hoptechno.com/book29e.htm[/url]
And according to this site, I get more than my fair share of B-12. Please see my other post. The info I found from this site I am going to post here because it's very interesting.
Thanks,
Kim

This is one in a series of fact sheets containing information to help you select foods that provide adequate daily amounts of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber as you follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Guidelines are -

.Eat a Variety of Foods

.Maintain Desirable Weight

.Avoid Too Much Fat, Saturated Fat, and Cholesterol

.Eat Foods with Adequate Starch and Fiber

.Avoid Too Much Sugar

.Avoid Too Much Sodium

.If You Drink Alcoholic Beverages, Do So in Moderation
WHAT IS MEANT BY A GOOD FOOD SOURCE?

A good food source of vitamin B-12 contains a substantial amount of vitamin B-12 in relation to its calorie content and contributes at least 10 percent of the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (U.S. RDA) for vitamin B-12 in a selected serving size. The U.S. RDA for vitamin B-12 is 6 micrograms per day. (The U.S. RDA given is for adults, except pregnant or lactating women, and children over 4 years of age.

[ENTER GRAPH - "WHERE DO WOMEN GET VITAMIN B-12?"]

As you can see, in 1985 and 1986, 54 percent of the vitamin B-12 in the diets of women came from meat, poultry, and fish and 22 percent came from milk and milk products. Although grain products contributed by 14 percent of the vitamin B-12 consumed by women, the B-12 in these products was provided by the meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and milk they may contain. Likewise, the vitamin B-12 contributed by vegetables and fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds, and by fats, sweets, and beverages comes from added animal products. Vitamin B-12 is found only in animal products. Foods that contain small amounts of vitamin B-12 but are not considered good sources can contribute significant amounts of vitamin B-12 to an individual's diet if these foods are eaten often or in large amounts.

WHY DO WE NEED VITAMIN B-12?

Vitamin B-12, a water-soluble vitamin, aids in forming red blood cells and in building genetic material. Vitamin B-12 also helps in the functioning of the nervous system and in metabolizing protein and fat in the body.

DO WE GET ENOUGH VITAMIN B-12?

According to recent USDA surveys, the majority of Americans met their RDA for vitamin B-12.

HOW CAN WE GET ENOUGH VITAMIN B-12?

Eating a variety of foods that contain vitamin B-12 is the best way to get an adequate amount. Healthy individuals who eat a balanced diet rarely need supplements. However, vegetarians who do not eat any animal products may need a supplemental source of vitamin B-12. The list of foods will help you select those that are good sources of vitamin B-12 as you follow the Dietary Guidelines. The list of good sources was derived from the same nutritive value of foods tables used to analyze information for recent food consumption surveys of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Human Nutrition Information Service.

HOW TO PREPARE FOODS TO RETAIN VITAMIN B-12?

Some vitamin B-12 can be lost from foods during cooking. To retain vitamin B-12, roast or broil meat or fish.

WHAT IS A SERVING?

The serving sizes used on the list of good sources are only estimates of the amounts of food you might eat. The amounts eaten of some meats may be easier to estimate by the piece rather than by weight. For example, the selected serving size for lamb is 1 chop weighing 2-3/4 ounces, 1 patty weighing 3-1/4 ounces, or 3 ounces of roast shoulder.

WHAT ARE GOOD SOURCES OF VITAMIN B-12?

FOOD SELECTED PERCENTAGE OF SERVING SIZE U.S. RDA (1)

MEAT, POULTRY, FISH, AND ALTERNATES

Meat and Poultry Beef: Brisket, braised, lean only 3 ounces ++ Ground, baked or broiled; Extra lean 1 patty +++ Lean or regular 1 patty ++ Pot roast, braised, lean only 3 ounces ++ Roast, rib, roasted, lean only 3 ounces ++ Shortribs, braised, lean only 3 ounces +++ Steak, lean only: Baked or broiled 3 ounces +++ Braised 3 ounces ++ Stew meat, simmered, lean only 3 ounces ++ Frankfurter, beef 1 + Lamb: Chop, shoulder; braised, broiled, or baked; lean only 1 chop +++ Ground, cooked 1 patty ++ Roast, shoulder, roasted, lean only 3 ounces ++ Liver, braised: Beef, calf, or pork 3 ounces +++ Chicken or turkey 1/2 cup diced +++ Liverwurst 1 ounce +++ Pork, lean only: Chop, baked or broiled 1 chop + Roast, loin, roasted 3 ounces + Tongue, braised 3 ounces +++ Veal, roast, leg, roasted, lean only 3 ounces ++

Fish and Seafood Carp, cod, flounder, haddock, ocean perch, pompano, or porgy; baked or broiled 3 ounces + Catfish, perch, pike, or whiting; baked or broiled 3 ounces ++ Clams; steamed, boiled, or canned; drained 3 ounces +++ Crabmeat, steamed 3 ounces +++ Croaker, baked or broiled 3 ounces +++ Lobster, steamed or boiled 3 ounces +++ Mackerel; baked, broiled or canned; drained 3 ounces +++ Mussels, steamed, boiled, or poached 3 ounces +++ Oysters: Baked, broiled, or steamed 3 ounces +++ Canned, undrained 3 ounces +++ Salmon: Baked or broiled 3 ounces ++ Steamed, poached, or canned, drained 3 ounces +++ Scallops: Baked or broiled 3 ounces + Broiled or steamed 3 ounces + Shrimp; broiled, steamed, boiled, or canned; drained 3 ounces + Swordfish steak, baked or broiled 3 ounces ++ Trout, baked or broiled 3 ounces +++ Tuna, canned, drained 3 ounces ++

Eggs Egg, whole, cooked 1 large egg +

MILK, CHEESE, AND YOGURT

Cottage cheese, regular or lowfat 1/2 cup + Ice milk, soft-serve, not chocolate 1/2 cup + Milk; whole, lowfat, or skim 1 cup + Yogurt: Flavored or fruit, made with whole or lowfat milk 8 ounces + Frozen 8 ounces + Plain; Made with whole milk 8 ounces + Made with lowfat or nonfat milk 8 ounces +

(1) A selected serving size contains -

+ 10-24 percent of the U.S. RDA for adults and children over 4 years of age

++ 25-39 percent of the U.S. RDA for adults and children over 4 years of age

+++ 40 percent or more of the U.S. RDA for adults and children over 4 years of age

January 1990

RX4FUN · 05-27-2002, 11:00 AM

Kim,

I replied to your post on the other topic!! One more thing I'd like to add though. It doesn't always matter if you get the proper amount of B-12 in your diet. Some people's bodies have a disorder where they can't absorb B-12. That is what happened to my friend. She could take all the B-12 supplements in the world and it wouldn't make a difference. Her body can't absorb it. That is why she needs the injections. You inject it directly into the muscle. This way, it's forced into the body. The only way her body will be able to use it.

So, diet isn't always the cause of B-12 deficiency, even though it is in many cases!

Rachel