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’s 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 crucial they are to a smooth operating body system. Vancouver vitamin B deficiencies need to be checked. 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 recognized for some time that Vitamin B12 deficiency can produce 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 connected to metabolic diseases and affected memory function, cognitive impairment, glucose metabolism and inflammation modulation. They decided 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 intimately connected! Vancouver Disc Centers helps Vancouver chiropractic patients discover just what their B vitamin levels are now so they can boost 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 precisely. Testing for methylmalonic acid serum levels is a more accurate means to determine B12 levels. MMA is increased in 90–98% of patients who have B12 deficiency. Why? Methylmalonic acid remains in the myelin sheath of the nerve if B12 does not change it appropriately. A blood test for MMA can detect 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 isn’t enough vitamin B12 available for conversion. (3,4) Vancouver Disc Centers encourages Vancouver chiropractic patients to check B levels and increase them as necessary.
HOW TO IMPROVE B12 LEVELS
Potential issues contributing to B12 deficiency are inadequate intake of B12 through diet (animal products [eggs, meat, milk] and algae), impaired absorption due to drugs taken 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 choose to address the dietary consumption of more vitamin B12-rich foods. Vancouver Disc Centers is certainly prepared to chat about supplementation ideas with you as well. It is 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 discusses the importance of chiropractic care and gentle spinal manipulation via The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management to maintain a healthy immune system including the nervous system.
Schedule your Vancouver chiropractic appointment at Vancouver Disc Centers today. Your brain, gut and nervous system will appreciate for having your B vitamin levels checked via the MMA connection!
