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Vancouver Chiropractic Care Checks for Vitamin B Deficiency and MMA

Boost your brain (and gut and nervous system) power with B vitamins. But learn a bit about MMA - methylmalonic acid. That is a big word! It’s an even bigger conversion element to understand and test. Vancouver Disc Centers shares just how B vitamins and methylmalonic acid are related, how they are tested and how important they are to a smooth functioning body system. Vancouver vitamin B deficiencies need to be noticed. Your Vancouver chiropractor is just the one to shine a spotlight on them. Chiropractic services address the whole person!

B12 DEFICIENCY EFFECT ON BRAIN

Researchers have acknowledged for some time that Vitamin B12 deficiency can trigger serious and irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system. Such deficiency is truly an issue for homocysteine (slows the conversion of methionine to homocysteine which converts to other amino acids via B12, B11, and B6) and methylmalonic acid (increases) levels. (1) Lately, researchers studied more in depth in what way vitamin B9 folate and B12 deficiencies are related to metabolic diseases and affected memory function, cognitive impairment, glucose metabolism and inflammation modulation. They concluded that folate and B-12 deficiencies impaired memory function by hindering hippocampal insulin signaling and bothering the gut microbiota. (2) The gut and brain are closely connected! Vancouver Disc Centers helps Vancouver chiropractic patients discover just what their B vitamin levels are currently so they can elevate them as needed to safeguard the brain and the gut.

HOW TO TEST FOR B12 LEVEL

New research pointed to testing methylmalonic acid serum levels to determine B12 levels more accurately. Testing for methylmalonic acid serum levels is a more preceise means to determine B12 levels. MMA is increased in 90–98% of patients with B12 deficiency. Why? Methylmalonic acid stays in the myelin sheath of the nerve if B12 doesn’t change it properly. A blood test for MMA can identify vitamin B12 deficiency earlier. The body produces very little MMA – necessary for metabolism and energy production – on its own. MMA levels rise in the blood and urine if there is not sufficient vitamin B12 available for conversion. (3,4) Vancouver Disc Centers urges Vancouver chiropractic patients to check B levels and improve them as necessary.

HOW TO IMPROVE B12 LEVELS

Potential issues leading to B12 deficiency are inadequate intake of B12 through diet (animal products [eggs, meat, milk] and algae), reduced absorption due to drugs used like proton pump inhibitors and histamine 2 receptor agonists), surgical removal of small bowel for Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, bariatric surgery, bacterial overgrowth into small bowel, diabetes’ medication metformin, malnutrition due to alcoholism, and nitrous oxide abuse. (5) To raise B12 levels, Vancouver chiropractic patients may want to start by addressing the dietary consumption of more vitamin B12-rich foods. Vancouver Disc Centers is certainly ready to chat about supplementation ideas with you as well. It’s all part of the Vancouver chiropractic treatment plan!

CONTACT Vancouver Disc Centers

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast With Dr. Michael Johnson as he talks about the importance of chiropractic care and gentle spinal manipulation via The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management to preserve a healthy immune system incorporating the nervous system.

Schedule your Vancouver chiropractic visit at Vancouver Disc Centers today. Your brain, gut and nervous system will thank you for having your B vitamin levels tested via the MMA connection!

Vancouver Disc Centers knows B vitamin deficiencies and MMA levels may affect the brain and nervous system functions.  
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."