B12 & calcium

[TAB100]

I've read that too much B12 will deplete calcium levels in the body. If this is true how much is too much?

[rosyG]

My GPs don't worry when my B12 injections give me a very high reading

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Not come across that - in fact I had the impression that low B12 can cause problems with uptake of calcium. Suspect a more significant factor is going to be a vitamin D problem - which quite often occurs with a B12 problem and is due to general malabsorption in the gut.

There is a link between low B12 and osteoporosis but that is probably down to the role that B12 plays in healthy cell reproduction.

[Hidden in reply to Gambit62]

I know that low B12 can be because of low stomach acid, or lack of intrinsic factor??? But, can low B12 levels caused by other reasons such as Methlyation MTRR defect, cause low stomach acid and digestive issues? My ND made it sound like low B12 can cause low stomach acid, and that restoring B12 levels could help with low stomach acid, etc... I haven't studies this particular situation so I have little knowledge of it. But I am MTRR ++, which is where I cannot convert standard b12 (Cyanocobalamin) to it's active methylated form (Methylcobalamin). Now that I'm taking Methylcobalamin, I'm feeling so much better. And I think my gut has been feeling better also, and I seem to need less Betaine HCL to digest foods.

[fbirder in reply to Hidden]

Actually, MTTR isn't responsible for cyano-methyl conversion. That's the job of MTR. Here's the explanation in Promethease...

"Yasko Methylation: Methionine synthase, coded by the MTR gene, has a B12 attached to it. The Methionine synthase takes a methyl group from methyl folate and attaches it to its B12, then it attaches it to a molecule of homocysteine, turning it into methionine, which in turn becomes SAMe. After 1000-2000 times doing this, the B12 gets turned into a useless form, and MTRR turns the B12 back into the useful form so that the molecule of MTR can keep working. The MTRR mutations make this enzyme less active, suggesting a need for more B12. "

However......

"The scientific credentials of Dr. Amy Yasko are strongly questioned by these sources:"

She believes that autism can be cured by takinbg RNA orally, despite the fact that RNA will be instantly destroyed by stomach acid (or saliva; or being at 37ºC for an hour or two). sciencebasedmedicine.org/cr...

And a quick search suggests that the only science stuff she's published in the last four years have been a couple of patents and some bits in woo-woo books.

So I would take any of her theories with a barrelfull of salt.

[Hidden in reply to fbirder]

Dr. Roberts says:

"MTR combines 5-methyl folate and homocysteine to form methionine and tetrahydrofolate (THF). More specifically, MTR removes a methyl group from 5-methyl folate, then tacks it on to homocysteine to form methionine. In the process 5-methyl folate is converted back to THF. "

"MTRR (Methionine Synthase Reductase) serves the needs of MTR, regenerating methyl-B12 from available methyl donors and B12. Without methyl-B12, MTR cannot convert homocysteine in to methionine. Needed downstream methyl donors such as SAMe will not be generated. Methylation fails, so does your biochemistry, and there goes your health. "

heartfixer.com/AMRI-Nutrige...

So, it appears that 5-MTHF (Methyl Folate) is needed for MTR, but MTR is not a process that converts B12 to Methyl-B12. MTRR is responsible for that, but I can't figure out what methyl donors are responsible for making Methyl-B12 out of standard B12.

So, it would seem that if I don't have a MTR or a MTHFR defect then I wouldn't need to supplement with Methyl-Folate. I should be able to make my own and that Methyl-Folate should be able to lend a methly-donor to MTR. But if I'm MTRR ++ then I'm not generating enough Methly-B12 to support MTR, which then causes health issues.

I'm taking Methyl-B12 and I'm feeling so much better! Most likely because MTR is working better, etc... (Supposidely)

But, this is all new science that many doctors don't have an understdanding about. And how the heck did anyone figure out how this methylation stuff works anyway? Amazing! As one doctor says, don't treat the SNP (defect) treat the symptoms. Some times even if your blood tests show that you have a methylation defect it may not be active or causing a problem. I've read that stress and other environmental factors could trigger those defects making them an issue. But who knows. Very interesting stuff though.

[pugdogs10 in reply to Hidden]

It is interesting that you re feeling so much better on methylcobalamin.

I am on monthly injections of hydroxocobalamin but still have symptoms and B12 levels of under 500, which are unusually low for someone on monthly injections. I have asked my GP if I can change to methylcobalamin but he says the NHS will not provide it. Do you obtain it privately?

[Hidden in reply to pugdogs10]

Hi,

Yes, Methly-B12, and even Hydroxy-B12 can be found online (retail). Seekinghealth.com sells both. Mostly sublingual form. There are some good liquid Methly-B12, iherb.com sells some of them.

[Frodo]

Where did you read it, Tab? I haven't seen that either.

[TAB100]

I read it on Facebook, someone asked the same question!