McHenry Chiropractic Care Checks for Vitamin B Deficiency and MMA
Boost your brain (and gut and nervous system) power with B vitamins. But learn a little about MMA - methylmalonic acid. That is a big word! It’s an even bigger conversion element to comprehend and test. OrthoIllinois Chiropractic 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. McHenry vitamin B deficiencies need to be revealed. Your McHenry 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 cause serious and irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system. Such deficiency is really 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) Lately, researchers investigated more deeply 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 decided that folate and B-12 deficiencies impaired memory function by hampering hippocampal insulin signaling and upsetting the gut microbiota. (2) The gut and brain are intimately linked! OrthoIllinois Chiropractic helps McHenry chiropractic patients discover just what their B vitamin levels are now 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 define B12 levels more precisely. Testing for methylmalonic acid serum levels is a more preceise means to figure out 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 convert 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 increase in the blood and urine if there isn’t sufficient vitamin B12 available for conversion. (3,4) OrthoIllinois Chiropractic urges McHenry chiropractic patients to check B levels and improve them as needed.
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), 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 improve B12 levels, McHenry chiropractic patients may choose to address the dietary intake of more vitamin B12-rich foods. OrthoIllinois Chiropractic is definitely prepared to chat about supplementation ideas with you as well. It is all part of the McHenry chiropractic treatment plan!
CONTACT OrthoIllinois 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 preserve a healthy immune system including the nervous system.
Schedule your McHenry chiropractic appointment at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic today. Your brain, gut and nervous system will appreciate for having your B vitamin levels checked via the MMA connection!
