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Guinea pigs were given a single large dose of gentamicin (125 mg/kg intramuscularly), and were randomly assigned to receive methylcobalamin (a form of vitamin B12; 1 mg/kg intramuscularly), immediately following [...]

A recent long-term study conducted in Sweden shows a relationship between low levels of vitamin B-12 and folate (folio acid) with the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease. As reported in a [...]

* It's important to supplement with vitamin B6 in addition to folic acid and vitamin B12 when trying to lower blood homocysteine levels. Although folic acid and B 12 lower [...]

Vitamin [B.sub.12], often thought of as strictly a concern for complete vegetarians, is being investigated further. In fact, recent research indicates that meat eaters and people with depression may also [...]

Seventy-eight Danish women (aged 16-39 years) with dysmenorrhea were randomly assigned to receive, in double-blind fashion, one of the following for at least 3 menstrual cycles: 1) placebo (consisting of [...]

One hundred-one patients (mean age, 53 years) with multiple risk factors for atherosclerosis, most of whom also had clinically manifest atherosclerosis, were treated daily with folic acid (2.5 mg), pyridoxine [...]

Patients with vitamin [B.sub.12] deficiency usually respond to IM cobalamin, but patient compliance is often poor because the injections are painful and can be costly if routinely given by a [...]

Blood just doesn't circulate through the body as easily when we get older. Yet problems posed by poor circulation get little respect; coronary arteries get all the attention. This month, [...]

Purpose: To review epidemiologic studies on the association between homocyst(e)ine level and risk for cardiovascular disease and the potential benefits of homocysteinedecreasing therapies. Data Sources: Computerized and manual searches of the literature on total homocysteine levels and cardiovascular disease. Study Selection: Prospective studies and major retrospective epidemiologic studies evaluating the association between homocyst(e)ine levels and cardiovascular disease and the association between blood levels or dietary intake of folate, vitamin [B.sub.6], and vitamin [B.sub.12] and cardiovascular disease. Data Extraction: Relevant data on patient population, plasma homocyst(e)ine levels, duration of follow-up, and main results were extracted from studies that met the inclusion criteria. Data Synthesis: The designs and results of studies included in this review are summarized. A formal metaanalysis was not performed because the studies were heterogeneous in method and design. Conclusions: Results of epidemiologic studies suggest that moderately elevated plasma or serum homocyst(e)ine levels are prevalent in the general population and are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, independent of classic cardiovascular risk factors. Simple, inexpensive, nontoxic therapy with folic acid, vitamin [B.sub.6], and vitamin [B.sub.12] reduces plasma homocyst(e)ine levels. Although the association between homocyst(e)ine levels and cardiovascular disease is generally strong and biologically plausible, the data from the prospective studies are less consistent. In addition, epidemiologic observations of an association between hyperhomocyst(e)inemia and cardiovascular risk do not prove the existence of a causal relation. Therefore, the effectiveness of folate, vitamin [B.sub.6], and vitamin [B.sub.12] in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality requires rigorous testing in randomized clinical trials. Several such trials are under way; their results may greatly affect cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, given the simplicity and low cost of vitamin therapy. Ann Intern Med. 1999;131:363-375., An overview of research indicates that elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. While the connection is very strong, homocysteine has not actually been proven to be a cause of the disease, only an associated risk factor.This is independent of other, better known risk factors such as smoking, obesity, hypertension and others. However, nutritional therapy with folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 reduces homocysteine levels, and clinical trials are ongoing to determine if this simple, inexpensive form of therapy will have a significant effect on reducing sickness and death.

As part of the Adventist Ministers' Health Study, a series of cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1992, 1994, and 1997, the serum vitamin B-12 status of 340 Australian Seventh-day Adventist ministers was assessed in 1997. The ministers in the study participated voluntarily. Of this group, 245 were either lactoovovegetarians or vegans who were not taking vitamin B-12 supplements. Their mean vitamin B-12 concentration was 199 pmol/L (range: 58-538 pmol/L), 53% of whom had values below the reference range for the method used (171-850 pmol/L) and 73% of whom had values [is less than] 221 pmol/L, the lower limit recommended by Herbert. Dual-isotope Schillings test results in 36 lactoovovegetarians with abnormally low vitamin B-12 concentrations indicated that dietary deficiency was the cause in 70% of cases. Data from the dietary questionnaires supported dietary deficiency as the cause of low serum vitamin B-12 in this population of lactoovovegetarians and vegans, 56 (23%) of whom consumed sufficient servings of vitamin B-12-containing foods to obtain the minimum daily maintenance allowance of the vitamin (1 [micro]g). Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70(suppl):576S-8S. KEY WORDS Vitamin B-12, cyanocobalamin, lactoovovegetarian, vegan, Schillings test, recommended daily allowance, RDA, Seventh-Day Adventists, ministers

How SAMe may aid depression (and more). With full apologies to Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, allow me to introduce you to SAMe (S-Adenosyl-methionine) -- a compound produced in the body [...]

Q I'm hearing about more and more people getting vitamin B12 injections, but then I read that this is appropriate only for people with a deficiency. What's your advice? Vitamin [...]

Data from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to evaluate the interaction between high serum folate and low vitamin Bl2 status (plasma vitamin B12 < 148 [...]

For many people, vitamin B12 brings to mind injections to boost energy. While this relates to the vitamin's traditional role of keeping red blood cells healthy, emerging research reveals that [...]

Fifteen patients with type 1 diabetes received 100 [mu]g per day of vitamin B12 subcutaneously along with insulin for two years. The mean duration of diabetes prior to vitamin B12 [...]

You wouldn't dream of skipping your annual Pap or even your twice-a-year teeth cleaning. But there are a few tests you may be missing that can spot early signs of […]

Vitamin B12 has become a vital ingredient in energy drinks. B12 plays a role in the body's metabolism of fats and carbohydrates as well as DNA and RNA production. Problems associated with Vitamin B12 degradation and interaction with other ingredients are also discussed.

The Vitamin Intervention for Stroke Prevention (VISP) trial did not show efficacy of high-dose vitamin therapy (2.5 mg of folic acid, 25 mg of pyridoxine, and 400 mcg of vitamin [...]

Vitamin [B.sub.12] is one of the most important B vitamins for bodybuilders. Also called cobalamin (because it contains the metal cobalt), Vitamin [B.sub.12] helps your body utilize dietary fats and [...]

Most consumers do not fully recognize the unique nutrition benefits that meat and poultry offer, according to a survey conducted online by Harris Poll for the American Meat Institute, Washington, [...]

what is it? A water-soluble vitamin involved in cognition, energy production, heart health, and anti-aging (e.g., the health of our genes). why you probably need more: Estimates show that more [...]

Researchers report the successful treatment of a pregnant woman with cobalamin A disease. This is a defect in the metabolism of vitamin B12. She was treated with vitamin B12 injections and gave birth to a healthy baby.