Vitamin B12 Absorption

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Vitamin B12 Absorption

Many of us have difficulties vitamin b12 absorption even when our diet is rich in it. Why? Because absoption of b12 is a fairly complex process that requires the right amount of stomach acid, and something called "intrinsic factor" (more about this later).

Vitamin b12 works in concert with folic acid and is crucial to many processes in the body, from the formation of DNA, to the strengthening of the protective sheath around nerves called the myelin. This is why many kids with difficulties absorbing b12 -- or "methylation issues" can develop neurological difficulties if it is not corrected.

If we develop a severe deficiency in vitamin B12, then pernicious anemia can develop -- a serious form of deficiency that can lead to irreversible neurological damage. The reason that this doesn't happen as often as we might think is that the human body can store b12 in the liver for up to ten years -- so a deficiency often doesn't show itself for a long time. Often b12 deficiencies are present in the elderly. This is partly in part to the fact that our digestive abilties decline as we age, and partly due to the fact that many older people do not eat adequate amounts of animal foods -- perhaps due to doctor's order to eat a "sensible diet," high in plant foods and vegetable oils, and low in fat.

Click the link below to order the book about which John V. Domisse, MD, says "This book accurately chronicles the devastation caused by B12 deficiency"

Could It be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses

So, how is vitamin B12 absorbed?

Vitamin b12 absorption is a pretty complicated process. First, we must take a source of vitamin b12 food source into the stomach in the form of animal foods. The food is broken down in the stomach in order to free up the B12 by a combination of the stomach acids hydrochloric acid and pepsin.

To have successful absortion and assimilation of vitamin b12, there needs to be adequate pancreatic enzymes so that a protein called intrinsic factor can bind to the free b12, travel down to the lower intestine, where the now intrinsic b12 attaches to cell receptors there to be utilized and assimilated. This process is assisted by calcium, so there must be adequate stores of this mineral in order to help the process, as well. (HL Newbold, Mega-Nutrients, The Body Press, 1987.)

Signs of Pernicious Anemia

Difficulties in vitamin b12 absorption can lead to pernicious anemia is a very serious disease that needs to be treated immediately. It is important to see your doctor to determine your b12 levels if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

numbness in the hands or feet

muscle tremors

irrational outbursts of anger

or symptoms that resemble Alzheimer's disease in order to rule out a vitamin b12 deficiency.

Some people have an autoimmune disease that makes production of the intrinsic factor impossible, and therefore will develop b12 deficiency even though they are eating adequate sources of b12. For these people, supplementation of b12 sublingually or through vitamin b12 shots is probably a necessity.

Another important consideration is that folic acid can accelerate neurological damage for people who are deficient in b12. This is good information for people on a vegetarian diet who aren't supplementing with b12 and who eat lots of green, leafy vegetables that are rich in folic acid.

Food Sources of Vitamin B12

Animal foods are the only real source of usable B12, such as liver, shellfish, and

raw milk (pasteurized milk might also be a good source, but studies conflict on whether or not levels are lowered by the heating of milk for pasteurization). In nature and in some cultures, b12 is gotten from eating insects! However unappetizing this may appear to us, b12 is a necessary nutrient, and bacteria is the only organism that is able to manufacture B12 on its own.

Factors that Decrease Vitamin B12 Absorption

H. Pylori bacteria has been shown to affect vitamin B12 absorption. (Archives of Internal Medicine, May 8, 2000 160:1349-53) Foods like coconut oil, and certain essential oils can help to eradicate this bacteria in the stomach, thereby assisting vitamin B12 absorption.

Essential oils that help eradicate dangerous bacteria and simultaneously soothe and calm the stomach are peppermint, tarragon and others. Young Living offers a blend called Di-Gize that has these and other pure essential oils that are very soothing to any type of stomach pain such as indigestion, heartburn, or nausea. Click the link below to read more about Young Living essential oils

Soy foods increase the body's need for B12 foods, and can add to digestive difficulties, and therefore, should be avoided.

Antacids and drugs that lower stomach acids can lead to a serious vitamin B12 deficiency and should be avoided. (Koop H. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1992;6:399-406 [review]; Marcaurd SP and others. Ann Intern Med 1994;120:211-215).

Make sure to have adequate calcium in the diet. The best sources of calcium are raw milk and true broths cooked the old-fashioned way, with animal bones for long periods of time. Calcium assists in the formation of intrinsic factor in the lower intestine and bone broths contain additional nutrients that heal intestinal inflammation, which also contributes to diminished vitamin B12 absorption.

Avoid smoking, as this depletes vitamin B12. (New Eng J Med 1995 Nov 2;333(18):1176-82).

Take additional vitamin B12 before and after surgery, as the body utilizes more of this nutrient during these times, and nitrous oxid can deplete the body of B12. (Marie RM and others. Arch Neurol 2000 Mar;57(3):380-2).

Thimerosol found in vaccinations and other forms of mercury interfere with absorption of vitamin B12 and can lead to long-term difficulties in assimilation of b12.

Oral contraceptives and exposure to mold can interfere with vitamin B12 absorption and cause vitamin B12 deficiency.

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