Richmond 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 is a big word! It is an even bigger conversion element to understand and test. Johnson Chiropractic shares just how B vitamins and methylmalonic acid are related, how they are tested and how important they are to a smooth operating body system. Richmond vitamin B deficiencies need to be noticed. Your Richmond chiropractor is just the one to put a spotlight on them. Chiropractic services address the whole person!
B12 DEFICIENCY EFFECT ON BRAIN
Researchers have known for some time that Vitamin B12 deficiency can trigger serious and irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system. Such deficiency is truly 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 (increases) levels. (1) Lately, researchers explored 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 concluded that folate and B-12 deficiencies impaired memory function by hampering hippocampal insulin signaling and bothering the gut microbiota. (2) The gut and brain are intimately linked! Johnson Chiropractic helps Richmond chiropractic patients discover 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 indicated that testing methylmalonic acid serum levels to define B12 levels more accurately. Testing for methylmalonic acid serum levels is a more preceise means to determine B12 levels. MMA is increased 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 appropriately. A blood test for MMA can identify vitamin B12 deficiency earlier. The body makes very little MMA – necessary for metabolism and energy production – by itself. MMA levels rise in the blood and urine if there is not sufficient vitamin B12 available for conversion. (3,4) Johnson Chiropractic urges Richmond chiropractic patients to check B levels and improve them as needed.
HOW TO IMPROVE B12 LEVELS
Potential issues contributing to B12 deficiency are inadequate intake of B12 through diet (animal products [eggs, meat, milk] and algae), weakened 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, Richmond chiropractic patients may choose to address the dietary intake of more vitamin B12-rich foods. Johnson Chiropractic is certainly ready to chat about supplementation ideas with you as well. It is all part of the Richmond chiropractic treatment plan!
CONTACT Johnson 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 maintain a healthy immune system including the nervous system.
Schedule your Richmond chiropractic visit at Johnson Chiropractic today. Your brain, gut and nervous system will thank you for having your B vitamin levels tested via the MMA connection!
