B12 Deficiency closely linked to PD.

[2bats]

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a number of neurological symptoms, including instability, neuropathy (which may cause numbness and tingling) and cognitive defects. Recent studies in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with neuropathy have shown that B12 deficiency is common. Also, we have recently observed that B12 levels decline over the course of PD. These observations have led us to hypothesize that concurrent B12 deficiency may contribute to overall decline in some patients. (MICHAELJFOX.ORG)

Check out this interesting film: youtube.com/watch?v=OvMxJ6G...(Not working as expected?) - Sally Pacholok aka SallyB12

On a personal note, I’ve NEVER had any UK GP or Neuro suggest that I should have my B12 level checked, even though low B12 is widespread and causes PD type symptoms, sometimes severe. I am taking B12 daily because I feel I’m highly likely to be B12 deficient.

I’d be very interested to get your comments!

Best regards, Phil 2bats

[jimcaster]

I take many supplements, including a B multivitamin with high doses of B12. I take 2000 mcg of B12 (methylcobalamin) daily. No other supplements made me feel instantly better than the B multivitamins with high B12. I can't even describe it, but I almost instantly felt more alert and energetic, blood tests showed lower homocysteine levels, and it eliminated tingling in my right arm. Along with exercise and high doses of B1 and B3 (TruNiagen), B12 is one of the 4 cornerstones of my regimen.

[2bats in reply to jimcaster]

Thanks Jim. Did you have your B12 level tested or just assumed it was likely to be low?

[jimcaster in reply to 2bats]

My homocysteine levels were high so my chiropractor recommended high doses of B12.

[2bats in reply to jimcaster]

Isn’t it amazing that this is recommended by a Chiro and yet not by the Neuros? The incidence is 5-20% at age 60 according to where you define B12 deficiency so it isn’t at all uncommon!

[jimcaster in reply to 2bats]

For most of my life, I believed chiropractors were people who couldn't get accepted into medical schools. While that still may be true in some cases, my chiropractor has done FAR more for me than the "experts" at a nationally renowned clinic. The experts basically said "take Sinamet, be prepared to slowly deteriorate, and check back in six months." No advice regarding blood tests, inflammation, diet, supplements, or exercise. It's almost two years later; I'm still not on medication, I don't feel any worse, and I haven't been back to the experts. I'll take my humble chiropractor who greets me with optimism and enthusiasm twice a week.

[Bundoran in reply to jimcaster]

That's a lot of chiro.

[20fatcats in reply to jimcaster]

same

[GinnyBerry]

My diagnosis after first Neuro visit was B12 deficiency. A few years later, I was diagnosed with Parkinsonism. The B12 deficiency was treated with injections, which raised my levels to normal. But I have to take supplements now.

[2bats in reply to GinnyBerry]

How much do you take and are you on any particular diet Ginny?

[GinnyBerry in reply to 2bats]

I don’t recall how much the injections were. Now I take 1000 microgram tablets most days.

I’m not on any special diet, really. I don’t overeat. I basically do intermittent fasting. (1-2 days a week, I eat less than 200-400 calories. Other days, I eat 1400-1800 calories). Plenty of vegetables and berries. I feel best if I don’t overeat. I’ve tried keto, but I find it difficult to manage high protein diet and my C/L.

[2bats in reply to GinnyBerry]

Thanks Ginny. I’ve gone pretty much on to a Carnivore Diet and OMAD which makes it easy to avoid sabotaging the C/L with protein.

[GinnyBerry in reply to 2bats]

OMAD is a good idea. The intermittent fasting is similar

[lenamm]

I was diagnosed low B12 eight weeks ago. 8 weeks of injections and the anxiety, depression and brain fog is gone. Game changer!

[2bats in reply to lenamm]

I’m delighted you had such a good result. How did the diagnosis of B12 deficiency come about?

[lenamm in reply to 2bats]

My doctor Dr. Mischley did blood work

[lenamm in reply to 2bats]

It's common for PD folks to not absorb it well via gut - why injections are better to treat.

[lenamm]

I eat plenty of meat and eggs but was still low

[2bats]

Dr Mischley seems very knowledgeable, although I’m not sure that she’s right about ‘red meat’ - and I eat a lot of fatty steak and plenty of liver!

[felixned]

I can't have any significant amount of animal protein. It aggravates my Parkinson symptoms and results in 2-3 hours of off time. I never tested for b12 levels but I take 2000 micrograms of b12. Btw, there are 3 different kinds of b12 sold and each one is absorbed differently. I'll see if I can find the article on the subject.

[2bats in reply to felixned]

There seems to be some debate as to whether sub-lingual is better...

[park_bear]

Video above is a 90 minute movie dramatization. Here's 24 minutes with Sally Polochok where she hits all the key points:

youtube.com/watch?v=5MKLdo-...(Not working as expected?)

Her book:

amazon.com/gp/product/18849...

Her website:

b12awareness.org/

[2bats in reply to park_bear]

Thank you - it’s good to see the lady herself. I am astonished this isn’t better known, especially in the PD world

[park_bear in reply to 2bats]

Thanks to you too. I had not been aware of all the different manifestations of B12 deficiency.

[2bats in reply to park_bear]

They match a lot of PD symptoms very closely...

[park_bear in reply to 2bats]

More:

youtube.com/watch?v=BvEizyp...(Not working as expected?)

[2bats in reply to park_bear]

Well I’m convinced! Just need to get my blood tested here in Sydney ...

[bcowart]

The video is 'unavailable' for some reason.

[AmyLindy]

Thx for this topic . Any changes to your regiment or lab values since original post?

[2bats in reply to AmyLindy]

I was tested on 7th Feb 2020 and the result was 717pmol/L against a recommended range of 135-650. I am still taking the dose of a single B12 2000Mcg Nutricost capsule per day which I started in Jan 2020 and I’m happy to be slightly over the 650 suggested level.