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Sublingual Vitamin B12 Supplement
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A deficiency of vitamin B12 impairs brain function. Thus, a vitamin B12 supplement should be considered by individuals with neurological and psychological conditions including autism.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include fatigue, confusion, irritability, incoordination, gait disturbance, constipation, headaches, ringing in ears, numbness, impaired cognition, memory loss, depression, anxiety, and psychosis.
Vitamin B12 is also needed with pernicious anemia. In this condition, intrinsic factor is not present to help with absorption of vitamin B12 in the terminal ileum of your intestines.
Vitamin B12 is also used with folic acid in the production of red blood cells.
Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, dizziness, shortness-of-breath, palpitations, and paleness.
Hearing loss in the elderly and insomnia may also be associated with lack of vitamin B12
The best source of vitamin B12 is meat. Strict vegetarians will most likely need vitamin B12 supplementation. Vitamin B12 can also be found in eggs, dairy and sea vegetables, such as kelp and dulse.
Blood thinners and gout medications may block the absorption of vitamin B12 from the intestines. You should take a vitamin B12 supplement if you are using these medications.
Many doctors only check a vitamin B12 level to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency. If the level is low, then you have vitamin B12 deficiency. However, if the level is normal, you still may have a vitamin B12 deficiency.
The best way to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency is to measure methylmalonic acid and homocysteine levels. These precursors of vitamin B12 are elevated if vitamin B12 is low. High homocysteine levels are associated with cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin B12 can be administered with intramuscular injections. I usually recommend weekly shots for one month, and then maintenance shots at least every 4 weeks, and as often as every 2 weeks if symptoms return sooner. However, these shots are painful, and your arm is really sore for several days afterward.
The quick and painless way to administer vitamin B12 is with sublingual vitamin B12 supplementation. Sublingual administration is just as effective as intramuscular injections.
You just hold the liquid under your tongue. The vitamin B12 is then absorbed directly into your blood stream bypassing your digestive system.
The usual daily dose of liquid vitamin B12 for adults is 1000 mcg. Liquid supplements often contain 1000 mcg in 1 ml or 30 drops. Children around 50 pounds should take half of the adult dose.
If you are deficient in vitamin B12, you are most likely also deficient in other B vitamins. Your vitamin B12 product should contain B vitamins or you should take a separate vitamin B complex.
about the sublingual vitamin B12 supplement
that I recommend for my family and patients.
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