Williamson 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. Apple Country Chiropractic shares just how B vitamins and methylmalonic acid are connected, how they are tested and how important they are to a smooth operating body system. Williamson vitamin B deficiencies need to be checked. Your Williamson chiropractor is just the one to put 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 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 (raises) levels. (1) Recently, researchers explored 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 hampering hippocampal insulin signaling and disturbing the gut microbiota. (2) The gut and brain are closely connected! Apple Country Chiropractic helps Williamson chiropractic patients find out just what their B vitamin levels are currently 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 preceise means to determine B12 levels. MMA is elevated in 90–98% of patients with B12 deficiency. Why? Methylmalonic acid remains in the myelin sheath of the nerve if B12 does not change it properly. A blood test for MMA can detect vitamin B12 deficiency earlier. The body makes very little MMA – necessary for metabolism and energy production – by itself. MMA levels rise in the blood and urine if there isn’t enough vitamin B12 available for conversion. (3,4) Apple Country Chiropractic urges Williamson chiropractic patients to check B levels and increase them as necessary.
HOW TO IMPROVE B12 LEVELS
Potential issues leading to B12 deficiency are insufficient intake of B12 through diet (animal products [eggs, meat, milk] and algae), reduced 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, Williamson chiropractic patients may choose to address the dietary intake of more vitamin B12-rich foods. Apple Country Chiropractic is certainly prepared to discuss supplementation ideas with you as well. It is all part of the Williamson chiropractic treatment plan!
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
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 incorporating the nervous system.
Schedule your Williamson chiropractic visit at Apple Country Chiropractic today. Your brain, gut and nervous system will appreciate for getting your B vitamin levels tested via the MMA connection!
