B12 (Cobalamin) Deficiency its effect on Auto Immunity Conditions, Methylation & Gene pathways
Presented by Maxine Haigh-White
mATMS, mNHAA, mALA
rumination
ruːmɪˈneɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
1. a deep or considered thought about something.
"philosophical ruminations about life and humanity"
2. the action of chewing the cud. "cows slow down their rumination"
B12 deficiency can cause a type of anaemia marked by fewer but larger red blood cells. It can also cause walking and balance disturbances, a loss of vibration sensation, confusion, and, in advanced cases, dementia. The body requires B12 to make the protective coating surrounding the nerves, so inadequate B12 can expose nerves to damage. Functionally, B12 is the cofactor for methionine synthase and methylmalonyl CoA mutase. To function as a cofactor, B12 must be metabolised through a complex pathway that modifies its structure and takes it through subcellular compartments of the cell.
Testing for B12 deficiency is not standard practice for many general practitioners. Considering red cell folate is no longer investigated in standard pathology, macrocytic anaemia is underdiagnosed and can be misdiagnosed as other neurological conditions. This may result in patients receiving more aggressive pharmacological treatment, when in fact the underlying issue is a B12 deficiency or related malabsorption issue.
The international standard B12 reference ranges, may be too narrow, with insufficient specificity to provide adequate screening. Long term deficiencies may influence switching on an autoimmune response.
There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune disorders cause the immune system to identify bodily tissues and cells as pathogens, and launch an attack. This can occur anywhere in the body.
- Causes of B12 deficiency including:
- Pernicious Anaemia
- Intestinal Permeability
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- SIBO
- H. Pylori