Easley Chiropractic Care Checks for Vitamin B Deficiency and MMA
Boost your brain (and gut and nervous system) power with B vitamins. But study a bit about MMA - methylmalonic acid. That is a big word! It’s an even bigger conversion element to comprehend and test. Young Chiropractic shares just how B vitamins and methylmalonic acid are connected, how they are checked and how essential they are to a smooth functioning body system. Easley vitamin B deficiencies need to be noticed. Your Easley 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 severe 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 (increases) levels. (1) Recently, researchers investigated more deeply 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 decreased memory function by hindering hippocampal insulin signaling and disturbing the gut microbiota. (2) The gut and brain are closely linked! Young Chiropractic helps Easley chiropractic patients find out 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 accurately. Testing for methylmalonic acid serum levels is a more preceise means to figure out B12 levels. MMA is elevated in 90–98% of patients with B12 deficiency. Why? Methylmalonic acid stays in the myelin sheath of the nerve if B12 does not convert it appropriately. A blood test for MMA can detect vitamin B12 deficiency sooner. 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 is not enough vitamin B12 available for conversion. (3,4) Young Chiropractic encourages Easley chiropractic patients to check B levels and improve them as needed.
HOW TO IMPROVE B12 LEVELS
Potential issues leading to B12 deficiency are inadequate intake of B12 through diet (animal products [eggs, meat, milk] and algae), reduced absorption due to drugs used 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, Easley chiropractic patients may want to start by addressing the dietary intake of more vitamin B12-rich foods. Young Chiropractic is certainly prepared to chat about supplementation ideas with you as well. It’s all part of the Easley chiropractic treatment plan!
CONTACT Young Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast With Dr. Michael Johnson as he talks about the importance of chiropractic care and gentle spinal manipulation via The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management to preserve a healthy immune system incorporating the nervous system.
Schedule your Easley chiropractic appointment at Young Chiropractic today. Your brain, gut and nervous system will thank you for getting your B vitamin levels tested via the MMA connection!
