LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

MMA

Cobalamin, folate, MMA, total homocysteine as B12 and folate markers – (05-28-01)

by

Cobalamin, folate, MMA, total homocysteine as B12 and folate markers

This study demonstrated that deficiency of B12 and folate is very common among the elderly, and is reduced by the use of multivitamins. The researchers used the functional status of the nutrients to assess the levels found in the blood. Too many times a serum folic acid or B12 levels are done and come back normal. The standard lab values are just short of worthless and the true status can be determined by other markers such as MMA and homocysteine. Then again, supplementation with these nutrients is much, much cheaper than running the tests…just take a good quality B12 vitamin (best formulations have at least 2000 mcg to avoid decreased intake with hypochlorhyrdria) with folic acid.

Synergy : Journal of Internal Medicine 249 (5), 423-432

Read entire article here

Homocysteine, cystathionine, MMA for diagnosis of vitamin deficiency – (01-02-01)

by

Homocysteine, cystathionine, MMA for diagnosis of vitamin deficiency

I have come across many patients who had “normal” blood levels of Vit B12 and yet responded positively to high dose B12 and folic acid. Our current laboratory values for B12 are set much too low and clinicians are not recognizing this. This study suggests that other markers are much better at diagnosing vitamin deficiency than serum levels. My recommendation….some companies make excellent and inexpensive 2000mcg B12/folate supplements; some of these labs tests are very expensive. If you consider a B12 or folate deficiency, supplement it.

Synergy Abstract

Read entire article here

HOW MUCH EFFECT VITAMIN B12 HAD ON COGNITIVE DECLINE – (04-28-08)

by

Low vitamin B-12 status and risk of cognitive decline in older adults

Supplementation with B12 and folic acid is a very inexpensive approach with high safety and many potential benefits. The problem is that many physicians still use serum B12 to assess status, and while this is a good marker of on the spot B12, it does not really give a good picture of functional status of B12. Personally, I always look at a patient’s MCV (mean corpuscular volume) level on a standard CBC. While most labs don’t consider it normal until it passes 100, I don’t like to see this value much past the lower 90s.

In this study, I think what was surprising was just how much of an effect B12 had on cognitive decline. Higher levels of MMA or homocysteine (markers of functional B12 status) led to a 50% greater risk of congitive decline. That’s a massive difference.

Read entire article here