Vitamin B-12 Deficiency

In 2001 Tufts University came out with a study found that as many as 40% of men and women have low levels of B-12, based on the B-12 blood levels of 3,ooo adults. The subjects were healthy and ate diets that had three times the recommended daily intake of vitamin B-12.

Vitamin B-12 also known as cyanocobalamine or cobalmin, is an essential vitamin that is required for the development of red blood cells. It is also used to make the protective coating surrounding nerves. B-12 is found mainly in animal based foods such as meat, poultry, milk products, eggs and fish.

In the study, they found that low B-12 levels were common in the entire population, but of those tested 39% had levels on the boarder or slightly below the cutoff, 17% had very low levels and 9% had levels so low that they are clinically deficient.

When a person is deficient in B-12 it can cause a type of anemia that is characterized by fewer but larger red blood cells. Other effects of a B-12 deficiency are walking and balance disturbances, a loss of vibration sensation, confusion and in advance cases dementia.

Symptoms of a B-12 deficiency are:

Feeling tired or weak
Pale appearance to the lining of lower eyelids
Palpitations, fast or irregular heart beat
Faintness and breathlessness
Hair loss
Bruising that occurs without reason
Dizziness
Long or unusually heavy menstrual periods

One surprising fact that the study found was that people were eating foods rich in B-12 vitamins, but their bodies were not absorbing the vitamin. Since this is a problem it is important to take vitamin supplements to make sure enough vitamin B-12 is getting into the body.

People with autoimmune diseases, especially those with hypothyroidism should be tested for a B-12 deficiency and anemia. If diagnosed with a deficiency, here are a few recommendations on how to take care of yourself:

Eat more foods that are good sources of iron. Concentrate on green, leafy vegetables, lean, red meat, beef liver, poultry, fish, wheat germ, oysters, dried fruit and iron-fortified cereals.
Help your body absorb iron better by eating foods high in vitamin C.
Red meat can supply iron, but also helps your body absorb iron from other foods.
Limit your use of tea, except herbal teas. The tannins in tea can inhibit iron absorption.
Avoid antacids, phosphates (found in soda, beer, ice cream, candy bars, etc) and the food additive EDTA. These block iron absorption
Increase dietary fiber to prevent constipation.

Thyroid Supplement That Contains B-12 - Thyax

One way to get more vitamin B-12 is by taking Progressive Health�s product called Thyax. Thyax is a high-potency supplement, designed to adjust the metabolic and nutritional alterations caused by underactive thyroid disease, or hypothyroidism.

Thyax accomplishes this by supplementing nutrients into the body that can support thyroid functioning on a permanent basis. Proper thyroid function requires adequate amounts of B-vitamin compounds, zinc, iodine, and copper; nutrients found in Progressive Health's thyroid support formula.

In addition to these thyroid supporting nutrients, Thyax also includes an L-tyrosine complex and L-phenylalanine; amino acids which are integral for the production of the neurotransmitters associated with hormone production, as well as the stability of endocrine glandular processes.

To learn more about Thyax, click here.