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I used to think that taking a Centrum multivitamin would take care of all my body’s nutritional needs. Now I know better.
Most over the counter supplements are not monitored for quality or content by an independent lab and frequently do not contain the ingredients advertised. At any rate, I would much rather get my vitamins from my produce section and farmer’s market than from a bottle, but , sometimes food sources just are not enough.
There are certain vitamins that are commonly lacking from our diets and require supplements.
Vitamin D, for example, get a lot of press. You may not know about another common deficiency- a critical “B” vitamin – B12.
Women with PCOS become depleted of B12 for many reasons with serious consequences such as fatigue, lethargy, weakness, memory loss, neurological and psychiatric problems and anemia.
Frighteningly, many common diseases (such as Alzheimer’s Disease, cardiovascular disease, mental illness, autoimmune disease and more) have symptoms that mimic those of B12 depletion and are easily misdiagnosed.
What is B12?
According to Wikipedia, “B12 is a water-soluble vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. It is one of the eight B vitamins. It is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body, especially affecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production.
It is the largest and most structurally complicated vitamin.”
Who is low in B12?
Data from the Tufts University Framingham Offspring Study suggests that 40 percent of people between the ages of 26 and 83 have plasma B12 levels in the low normal range – a range at which many experience neurological symptoms. 9 percent had deficiency, and 16 percent exhibited “near deficiency.” Most surprising to the researchers was that low B12 levels were common in younger people.
Where do you get B12?Vegetarians and vegans take note!
B12 is only found in animal based food. Here are some of the top B12 containing foods. Mollusks (clams, oysters, mussels0 Beef liver Salmon Wild trout Sirloin Beef Yogurt Milk Pork Eggs Chicken.
Vegetarians and vegans should understand that there are no plant sources of B12, and studies consistently show that up to 50% of long-term vegetarians and 80% of vegans are deficient in B12.
The symptoms of B12 deficiency:
- Premature grey hair
- Disturbed carbohydrate metabolism
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Infertility
- Vision problems
- Loss of hearing and tinnitus
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
- Alcoholism Incontinence
- Hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation (dark and light patches in the skin)
- Psoriasis and other skin problems
- Insomnia
- Irrational or chronic anger
- Violent behavior
- Lack of balance/abnormal gait
- Any emotional disorder
A Note about B12 and infertility
“Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with infertility,” says hematologist Michael Bennett, M.D. in Could it be B12? “Pregnancy may occur in the presence of B12 deficiencybut may be associated with recurrent early fetal loss.” Luckily, supplementation can help. Doctors have reported successful pregnancies in once-infertile women following therapy for B12 deficiency. If you are going through fertility treatments, insist on a B12 test.
What causes B12 deficiency?
There are many causes of B12 deficiency ranging from poor diet, to medication side effects to other medical conditions (such as leaky gut and/or gut inflammation, low stomach acid, pernicious anemia, alcohol use, and exposure to nitrous oxide).
Metformin causes B12 deficiency
I know when I was taking metformin, my doctor never told me that I could become B12 deficient and was never told to supplement. If you have PCOS and are taking metformin, talk to your doctor about supplementing with B12 and have your levels checked regularly. Bring your doctor the summaries of the studies associated below.
Oral contraceptives may cause B12 deficiency
The data regarding the effects of oral contraceptives on vitamin B12 serum levels are conflicting. Some studies have found reduced levels in oral contraceptive users, but others have found no effect despite use of oral contraceptives for up to 6 months. When oral contraceptive use is stopped, normalization of vitamin B12 levels usually occurs. Again you can bring the study summaries to your doctor. Most women are taking metformin and OC’s – a double whammy!
What tests can I take to know if I am low in B12?
B12: Normal values are 200 – 900 pg/mL (picograms per milliliter).
CBC (Complete Blood Count). This is actually a group of tests ordered routinely to screen for blood cell abnormalities. It measures cell types, quantities, and characteristics. With both B12 and folate deficiencies, the amount of hemoglobin and RBC count may be low, and the RBCs are abnormally large (macrocytic or megaloblastic), resulting in an anemia. White blood cells and platelets also may be decreased.
Methylmalonic Acid (MMA). This is sometimes ordered to help detect mild or early B12 deficiency. A normal serum sMMA level is .07 to .27 µmol/l. A normal urine uMMA level is .58 – 3.56 µmol/mmol
Homocysteine(HCY). This one is only occasionally ordered. Levels may be elevated in both B12 and folate deficiency. A normal serum HCY is 2.2 – 13.2 µmol/l
If MMA and homocysteine levels are increased and the vitamin B12 level is mildly decreased, then an early or mild B12 deficiency may be present. This may indicate a decrease in available B12 at the tissue level. If only the homocysteine level is elevated, then the person may have a folate deficiency. If both MMA and homocysteine levels are normal, then it is unlikely that there is a B12 deficiency.
Supplementing B12
The most commonly used form of supplemental B12 in the US is cyanocobalamin – that is what you will find in your Centrum vitamins. However, only two forms of B12 are active in the body – methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin. Cyanocobalamin must be converted in the body to either methyl or adenosyl cobalamin. But if you supplement with methylcobalamin, your body can immediately use this active form of vitamin B12 which is available at most health food stores in the US. It can be supplemented in pill form, sublingual tablet, liquid, transdermal patch, nasal spray, and even lollipop.
I personally sourced it from the most reputable nutraceutical company I could find to ensure quality and consistent effectiveness. It is specifically designed for women with PCOS and contains the critical B12 as methylcobalamin.
If your B12 is really low your doctor may prescribe injections. The standard protocol is 1000 micrograms daily for three days, then weekly for a month, then one injection per month indefinitely.
Be sure that you chose a B12 supplement that is verified by a third party, independent lab or you cannot be certain that the quality or quantity you are consuming is accurate. In some cases, uninspected supplements contain none of the nutrient advertised!
