West Des Moines Chiropractic Care Checks for Vitamin B Deficiency and MMA
Boost your brain (and gut and nervous system) power with B vitamins. But study a little about MMA - methylmalonic acid. That’s a big word! It’s an even bigger conversion element to understand and test. Executive Chiropractic of Iowa shares just how B vitamins and methylmalonic acid are connected, how they are tested and how essential they are to a smooth functioning body system. West Des Moines vitamin B deficiencies need to be noticed. Your West Des Moines 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 cause severe 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) Lately, researchers explored more deeply in what way vitamin B9 folate and B12 deficiencies are related to metabolic diseases and influenced memory function, cognitive impairment, glucose metabolism and inflammation modulation. They concluded 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 intimately connected! Executive Chiropractic of Iowa helps West Des Moines chiropractic patients discover just what their B vitamin levels are currently so they can boost them as needed to protect 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 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 sooner. The body produces very little MMA – necessary for metabolism and energy production – on its own. MMA levels rise in the blood and urine if there is not enough vitamin B12 available for conversion. (3,4) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa encourages West Des Moines chiropractic patients to check B levels and increase them as needed.
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), weakened 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, West Des Moines chiropractic patients may want to start by addressing the dietary consumption of more vitamin B12-rich foods. Executive Chiropractic of Iowa is definitely ready to discuss supplementation ideas with you as well. It’s all part of the West Des Moines chiropractic treatment plan!
CONTACT Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
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 including the nervous system.
Schedule your West Des Moines chiropractic appointment at Executive Chiropractic of Iowa today. Your brain, gut and nervous system will appreciate for getting your B vitamin levels checked via the MMA connection!
