Many people who are overall fairly healthy think that B12 deficiency is something that they do not need to worry about. After all, B12 deficiency is an old persons disease, right? The unfortunate reality is that many people are walking around with low B12 levels and they do not even know it. While B12 deficiency is typically associated with neurological symptoms that are quite severe, recent research indicates that even moderately low levels are cause for concern. This is thanks to the fact that science has connected low levels of B12 with the development of a host of chronic illnesses.
While you may not think there is cause for concern, research indicates that that may not be the case. In a study conducted at Tufts University is was shown that 65% of the participants had levels of B12 that were low enough to cause significant health issues including neurological damage. Only 9% had a B12 deficiency, so the remainder were likely individuals with symptoms that they could not explain that had not yet been diagnosed. What was surprising was that this study looked at individuals between the ages of 26 and 83 and found that there was no significant increase in low B12 levels between the young and old.
In addition to increasing your chances of having deficiency symptoms, individuals with low levels of B12 are much more likely to develop heart disease, strokes, and miscarriages. They are also much more likely to be the victims of early death. This is thanks to the fact that as your B12 levels go down, your Homocysteine levels increase. Homocysteine is a natural by product of bodily functions, but in high levels it is toxic to the body. Research has proven that elevated Homocysteine levels increase your risk of developing chronic disease.
While it may seem that the easiest thing to do is go to the doctor and get your B12 levels tested, the reality is that it is not so simple for most people. Basic B12 testing is not sufficient, thanks to the fact that it can lead to a false positive. Because there are other substances that mimic the properties of B12 in the body yet do not provide the benefits, it is very possible to test out with normal levels and still have a B12 deficiency. Comprehensive testing is effective, but it is going to cost you. In most cases the cost is over $4,000.
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