Oxford Chiropractic Care Checks for Vitamin B Deficiency and MMA

Boost your brain (and gut and nervous system) power with B vitamins. But learn a little about MMA - methylmalonic acid. That’s a big word! It’s an even bigger conversion element to understand and test. Satterwhite 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. Oxford vitamin B deficiencies need to be checked. Your Oxford chiropractor is just the one to shine a spotlight on them. Chiropractic services address the whole person!

B12 DEFICIENCY EFFECT ON BRAIN

Researchers have recognized for some time that Vitamin B12 deficiency can produce 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 studied more deeply just how vitamin B9 folate and B12 deficiencies are connected to metabolic diseases and affected memory function, cognitive impairment, glucose metabolism and inflammation modulation. They reported that folate and B-12 deficiencies damaged memory function by hampering hippocampal insulin signaling and disturbing the gut microbiota. (2) The gut and brain are intimately linked! Satterwhite Chiropractic helps Oxford chiropractic patients find out 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 determine B12 levels more accurately. Testing for methylmalonic acid serum levels is a more preceise means to determine 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 doesn’t convert it properly. A blood test for MMA can identify vitamin B12 deficiency sooner. The body makes very little MMA – necessary for metabolism and energy production – by itself. MMA levels increase in the blood and urine if there is not enough vitamin B12 available for conversion. (3,4) Satterwhite Chiropractic encourages Oxford chiropractic patients to check B levels and increase 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), reduced 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 improve B12 levels, Oxford chiropractic patients may want to start by addressing the dietary intake of more vitamin B12-rich foods. Satterwhite Chiropractic is definitely prepared to chat about supplementation ideas with you as well. It’s all part of the Oxford chiropractic treatment plan!

CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast With Dr. Michael Johnson as he discusses 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 Oxford chiropractic appointment at Satterwhite Chiropractic today. Your brain, gut and nervous system will appreciate for having your B vitamin levels checked via the MMA connection!

Satterwhite Chiropractic points out B vitamin deficiencies and MMA levels may affect the brain and nervous system functions.  
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."