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Baton Rouge Chiropractic Care Checks for Vitamin B Deficiency and MMA

April 14, 2020

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 is an even bigger conversion element to comprehend and test. Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers shares just how B vitamins and methylmalonic acid are connected, how they are tested and how crucial they are to a smooth functioning body system. Baton Rouge vitamin B deficiencies need to be revealed. Your Baton Rouge chiropractor is just the one to shine a spotlight on them. Chiropractic services take care of the whole person!

B12 DEFICIENCY EFFECT ON BRAIN

Researchers have acknowledged for some time that Vitamin B12 deficiency can trigger serious and irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system. Such deficiency is really an issue for homocysteine (decelerates 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 studied more deeply just how vitamin B9 folate and B12 deficiencies are related to metabolic diseases and influenced 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 upsetting the gut microbiota. (2) The gut and brain are closely connected! Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers helps Baton Rouge chiropractic patients find out just what their B vitamin levels are currently 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 determine B12 levels more precisely. Testing for methylmalonic acid serum levels is a more preceise way to determine B12 levels. MMA is elevated in 90–98% of patients who have B12 deficiency. Why? Methylmalonic acid remains in the myelin sheath of the nerve if B12 does not convert it properly. A blood test for MMA can detect vitamin B12 deficiency earlier. The body produces 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) Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers encourages Baton Rouge chiropractic patients to check B levels and increase them as necessary.

HOW TO IMPROVE B12 LEVELS

Potential issues contributing to B12 deficiency are insufficient 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 improve B12 levels, Baton Rouge chiropractic patients may choose to address the dietary consumption of more vitamin B12-rich foods. Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers is certainly prepared to chat about supplementation ideas with you as well. It is all part of the Baton Rouge chiropractic treatment plan!

CONTACT Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers

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 Baton Rouge chiropractic appointment at Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers today. Your brain, gut and nervous system will appreciate for having your B vitamin levels checked via the MMA connection!

Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers points out B vitamin deficiencies and MMA levels may affect the brain and nervous system functions.  
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