La Grande 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 is an even bigger conversion element to understand and test. Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC shares just how B vitamins and methylmalonic acid are related, how they are checked and how essential they are to a smooth functioning body system. La Grande vitamin B deficiencies need to be checked. Your La Grande 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 produce 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) Recently, researchers explored more in depth 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 reported that folate and B-12 deficiencies impaired memory function by hampering hippocampal insulin signaling and disturbing the gut microbiota. (2) The gut and brain are closely connected! Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC helps La Grande chiropractic patients discover just what their B vitamin levels are now so they can boost 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 way to determine B12 levels. MMA is increased in 90–98% of patients with B12 deficiency. Why? Methylmalonic acid remains in the myelin sheath of the nerve if B12 doesn’t change it properly. A blood test for MMA can detect vitamin B12 deficiency sooner. The body makes very little MMA – necessary for metabolism and energy production – on its own. MMA levels rise in the blood and urine if there isn’t enough vitamin B12 available for conversion. (3,4) Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC encourages La Grande chiropractic patients to check B levels and improve them as needed.
HOW TO IMPROVE B12 LEVELS
Potential issues leading to B12 deficiency are inadequate intake of B12 through diet (animal products [eggs, meat, milk] and algae), impaired 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, La Grande chiropractic patients may choose to address the dietary consumption of more vitamin B12-rich foods. Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC is definitely ready to discuss supplementation ideas with you as well. It’s all part of the La Grande chiropractic treatment plan!
CONTACT Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
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 La Grande chiropractic visit at Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC today. Your brain, gut and nervous system will thank you for getting your B vitamin levels tested via the MMA connection!
