A Question Regarding Lithium

During the past 24 hours a Natural Health News reader was searching for information about the use of lithium and any connection it may have with Alzheimer's Disease.

Lithium is often used in mental health for people with the alleged diagnosis of Bipolar dis-order or also referred to as manic-depressive illness.

Using lithium has some serious side effects to consider, the major one leading to severe thyroid problems. Regular blood testing is required. Lithium toxicity is a risk as is retention with diuretic use or kidney function issues.

Proper function of the thyroid is important in aging and memory issues. I have mentioned many times that in the past those physicians who were well educated about aging and dementia routinely prescribed vitamin B12 shots and natural thyroid.  Dementia was very infrequent during this time, about 40-60 years ago.  Some more informed physicians today are returning to this protocol.

Acute Lithium Intoxification

Read more »

Posted in: Alzheimer's,bipolar,lithium,manic depression,thyroid,vitamin B12

Alzheimer's Reminder, Don't Overlook These Causes

Neurological Impact Of Fluoride Toxicity, from an article I wrote in 2001 and other important information to consider, plus the impact of overusing Serotonergic Drugs

While the links from fluoride consumption to cancer, osteoporosis, and other physical ailments are long established, recently studies have shown that fluoride impact is much broader and includes neurological and cerebrovascular effects.

Fluoride has been banned in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, West Germany (now unified), Italy, Belgium, Austria, France, and The Netherlands.

Tea (not including the herbal varieties) is a surprising culprit, in addition to fluoridated drinking water supplies and fluoride toothpaste.

A 52-week study of the factors that enhance or inhibit the bioavailability of aluminum and its effects on the nervous system was published in 1998 in the Journal of Brain Research. According to the report, the equivalent of fluoridated drinking water in terms of elemental fluorine levels had an impact on brain tissue similar to the pathological changes found in humans with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
The introduction to the report noted, "One of their most remarkable findings was that animals administered the lowest dose of aluminum-fluoride (0.5 ppm) exhibited a greater susceptibility to illness and a higher incidence of mortality than the animals administered the higher levels (5 ppm, 50 ppm) of aluminum [without the fluoride].

"While the small amount of aluminum-fluoride in the drinking water of rats required for neurotoxic effects is surprising, perhaps even more surprising are the neurological results of the sodium-fluoride at the dose given in the present study (2.1 ppm) [the amount used to achieve 1 ppm of elemental fluorine used in fluoridation].

"In most reports of chronic fluoride toxicity, the data provided are usually limited to weight loss, dental and skeletal changes, indicators of carcinogenesis, and damage to soft tissues.

"Fluoride has diverse actions on a variety of cellular and physiological functions, including the inhibition of a variety of enzymes, a corrosive action in acid mediums, hypocalcemia [low blood calcium], hyperkalemia [excess blood potassium], and possibly cerebral impairment."

The authors summarize, "Chronic administration of aluminum-fluoride and sodium-fluoride in the drinking water of rats resulted in distinct morphological alterations of the brain, including the effects on neurons and cerebrovasculature."

A previous study by Mullenix, et al. in Neurotoxicology and Teratology, 1995, documents abnormal behavioral responses by animals exposed to fluoride at various stages of gestation, which resulted in permanent hyperactivity if exposed prenatally, or extreme lethargy if exposed after birth, with some animals not able to find their way out of a circular maze to the same food source every day.

This study of the neurological effects of sodium fluoride, which is commonly touted as a safe and even health-promoting drinking water additive, came on the heels of a recent report in the Journal of the American Medical Association that 2 million people a year become ill, and more than 100,000 die, from medicines judged by the medical community to have been "correctly prescribed and correctly administered."

The fluoride/aluminum association is of particular importance as it relates to Alzheimer's Disease. Aluminum by itself is not readily absorbed by the body. However, fluoride ions combine with aluminum to form aluminum fluoride, which is absorbed by the body. In the body, the aluminum eventually combines with oxygen to form aluminum oxide or alumina. Protein bound to alumina in afflicted brains forms the plaques and tangles characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

In a study by Dr. Robert Isaacson at the State University of New York, aluminum fluoride was added to rats' diet. This, contrary to normal expectations, passed through the brain barrier and gave the rats short-term memory loss, smell sensory loss, unsteady gait, and loss of structures of the neo-cortex and hippocampus, all symptoms of Alzheimer's. A Varner and Jensen study conducted with Isaacson confirmed this in 1998.
B-12 AND FOLATE CAN REDUCE ALZHEIMERS RISK  Elderly people with low blood levels of vitamin B-12 and folic acid (folate) may face an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Vitamin B-12 plays an important role in maintaining nerve cells, and some research has linked low blood levels of the vitamin to Alzheimer's and mental decline. Few studies have looked at whether there is such a connection between Alzheimer's and folate, a B vitamin key to the production and maintenance of body cells.

The May 8, 2001, issue of Neurology reports on a study of 370 individuals aged 75 and older, in which investigators found that those with low levels of either vitamin were twice as susceptible to Alzheimer's over a 3-year period as those with normal levels. The link was even stronger among study participants who performed well on mental tests at the start of the study.
The reason for the link is unclear, but low blood levels of B-12 and folate can lead to elevations in the amino acid homocysteine, which may in turn damage nerve cells, the authors note. Vitamin B-12 is found in meat, fish, eggs, and milk. Vegetarians are advised to supplement their B-12 intake. Folate occurs naturally in leafy green vegetables, dried beans and peas, and citrus fruits, among others. Many cereals are fortified with folic acid, the synthetic form of folate.

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, affecting an estimated 4 million Americans. The exact cause remains elusive, but scientists believe genetics and environmental factors conspire to trigger the onset of the disease.

The May 8, 2001 issue of Neurology Magazine listed the following as warning signs of Alzheimer's Disease: memory loss that affects job skills; language problems; difficulty performing familiar tasks; misplacing objects; changes in mood and behavior; poor judgment; disorientation as to time and place; personality changes; problems with abstract thinking; and loss of initiative.

Brain imaging is recommended to help rule out other causes of memory loss or dementia. This includes computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Genetic testing has not been found particularly useful. [Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, 2001]

The elderly are not the only ones that need to worry about B-12. According to one practitioner, the most common cause of B-12 deficiency is a vegetarian diet.

The drug Prilosec (omeprazole) has been shown to decrease B-12 absorption [Annual of Pharmacotherapy, May 1999]. This is possibly due to its effects on decreasing the production of intrinsic factor, which is needed for proper B-12 absorption. Other medications may have similar adverse effects.

There is also little question now that B-12 and folic acid are useful to reduce homocysteine and the associated increase in heart disease and birth defects.

Read more »

Posted in: Alzheimer's,folic acid,nutrition for Alzheimer's,serotenergic drug problems,vitamin B12

A Second Opinion on Folate Studies

Unexpected incidence of cancer from higher dose synthetic folic acid
By Sophie
Alliance Natural Health
10 Dec 2009

Two Norwegian studies, the Norwegian Vitamin Trial [1] and the Western Norway B Vitamin Intervention Trial [2], both designed to investigate the effects of higher dose folic acid and vitamin B12 on reducing deaths from heart disease (through lowering homocysteine levels), have shown that high dose folic acid supplementation may unexpectedly give rise to an increased incidence of cancer and all-cause mortality. The results have been analysed in a recently published article in JAMA [3].

The studies found increased risk of death from cancer (as well as other risks) among those who supplemented with 800 mcg folic acid daily. Lung cancer was the type of cancer that appeared most elevated by the supplementation (around 40% of the population group were currently smokers). Supplementation treatment was carried out for (on average) 39 months and follow-up occurred for about the same time period, although the researchers had no record whether supplementation (of these and other vitamins, minerals and other nutrients) was continued or discontinued during follow-up.

It must be said though, that the results of the JAMA analysis conflict with a number of other studies that show folic acid (synthetic, oxidised folate), and more specifically, the reduced form of folates as found in green-leaved vegetables, to be linked with decreased, rather than increased, risk of particular cancers.

Facts which weaken the drawing of further conclusions from these studies

The conclusion can only be related to the particular study group in question, and it is clear that the participants in the studies were far from healthy:

100% of patients in these clinical trials had ischemic heart disease

Nearly half of them had had a heart attack, while most of the rest had chronic angina

The average age was between 62-63 years

Over three-quarters of the patients were male

More than 80% were taking lipid-lowering drugs and beta blockers

About 40% were currently smokers

Over one-third had high blood pressure

About one-sixth were obese

More than one tenth had diabetes mellitus.

Although the study looked at very limited interactions with other vitamins, namely the addition of vitamin B12 and B6 to the folic acid, there is evidence that elevated levels of vitamin B1, B2 and B3 are also needed for proper folate cycling in the body. The Norwegian researchers did not look at red cell folate status, nor at the amount of unmetabolised folic acid in the serum (the liquid part of blood). These facts weaken the drawing of further conclusions from the studies.

There is however a growing amount of scientific research [4] showing that high serum levels of the unmetabolised, oxidised form of folate, folic acid, may be associated with increased incidence of certain cancers in particular population groups. To be used by the body, folic acid must be reduced by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and, the amount of this varies among individuals by nearly five-fold.

How might a high intake of synthetic folic acid give rise to cancer?

Firstly, folate is known for the part it plays during healthy cell division within the body, whilst cancer is a form of cell division gone awry.

There is some evidence [4] that folic acid might accelerate the growth of very early, and as yet undetected cancer forms (neoplasms). There is also some evidence that high levels of unmetabolised folic acid within the serum may affect the function of natural killer cells. These are part of the body’s immune system, which among other things, kill cancer cells (Troen et al 2006 [5]).

On this particular issue, there is no evidence whatsoever that these high levels are achieved by those consuming 200 mcg or 400 mcg/day, which represent more common daily intakes in food supplements or fortified foods.

Problems caused by low folate status

Looking at the other side of the problem, there is a considerable amount of evidence to show that low folate status gives rise to a wide range of health problems, which include: increased risk of neural tube defects, increased cancer and heart disease risk, venous thromboembolism, despression, various neuropsychiatric conditions, etc.
International requirements for folate and folic acid have been set by the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO [6]).

For further information, please see our earlier news item: ‘Another question mark over mandatory food fortification with synthetic folic acid [7]’

What the consumer should do

It seems that there are now sufficient data to suggest that high risk population groups (those over 50, who might smoke or be at risk from other known carcinogens, or have a family history of cancer) should be cautious of taking more than 400 mcg of synthetic folic acid (usually designate as ‘folic acid’ or “pteroylmonoglutamic acid’ on the label, sometimes under the category ‘folate’) daily.

Taking 800 mcg or even more of the reduced forms of folate, as found in green vegetables or in some supplements (designated as ‘methyl tetrahydrofolate’, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate’, ‘calcium-L-methylfolate’, ‘formyl tetrahydrofolate’, folinic acid or similar) does not present this risk. These polyglutamate forms do not accumulate in their unmetabolised forms in the bloodstream and are the biologically active forms.

As ever, the unfolding story of the science about folates seems to reinforce the fact that there are profound differences in the way the body responds to synthetic vis-a-vie natural forms. Naturally derived nutrients are often handled most appropriately by the body and are not always absorbed the fastest (it is a common misconception that natural forms are more bioavailable and absorbed by the body faster).

Natural sources of polyglutamate folate:

Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens and broccoli

Legumes, such as French beans, dried beans and peas (black-eyed peas and black, pinto, kidney and navy beans) and peanuts

Asparagus, Oranges and orange juice, Avocadoes, Strawberries

[1] http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00266487



[2] http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00354081


[3] http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/302/19/2119


[4] http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/v100/n2/full/6604823a.html


[5] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16365081?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=8


[6] http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/004/Y2809E/y2809e0a.htm


[7] http://www.anhcampaign.org/news/another-question-mark-over-mandatory-food-fortification-with-synthetic-folic-acid


[8] http://www.anhcampaign.org/campaigns/food4health


[9] http://www.anhcampaign.org

Read more »

Posted in: ANH Campaign,foliate,vitamin B12,vitamin B9

Another boost for the importance of B12

7 June, 2010 -

Making enough red blood cells: Scientists identify molecules that ensure red blood cell production

ScienceDaily (2010-06-06) -- Scientists have identified two small RNA molecules which ensure that enough red blood cells are produced efficiently, by fine-tuning a number of different genes involved in this process. ... > read full article

Original post date: 2008
Yesterday I received an article from a well known journalist, Jeff Rense, regarding a report that lack of B12 leads to brain shrinkage.

Printed from The Times of India - Eating veggies shrinks the brain 14 Sep 2008, IST,AGENCIES

MELBOURNE: Scientists have discovered that going veggie could be bad for your brain-with those on a meat-free diet six times more likely to suffer brain shrinkage.

Vegans and vegetarians are the most likely to be deficient because the best sources of the vitamin are meat, particularly liver, milk and fish. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause anaemia and inflammation of the nervous system. Yeast extracts are one of the few vegetarian foods which provide good levels of the vitamin.

The link was discovered by Oxford University scientists who used memory tests, physical checks and brain scans to examine 107 people between the ages of 61 and 87.

When the volunteers were retested five years later the medics found those with the lowest levels of vitamin B12 were also the most likely to have brain shrinkage. It confirms earlier research showing a link between brain atrophy and low levels of B12.

Brain scans of more than 1,800 people found that people who downed 14 drinks or more a week had 1.6% more brain shrinkage than teetotallers. Women in their seventies were the most at risk.

Beer does less damage than wine according to a study in Alcohol and Alcoholism.

Researchers found that the hippocampus-the part of the brain that stores memories - was 10% smaller in beer drinkers than those who stuck to wine.

And being overweight or obese is linked to brain loss, Swedish researchers discovered. Scans of around 300 women found that those with brain shrink had an average body mass index of 27 And for every one point increase in their BMI the loss rose by 13 to 16%.
Copyright © 2008 Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd

This morning, in one of the clinical newsletters I receive an abstract on this research was included.

AGING, COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT, DEMENTIA, ELDERLY, BRAIN VOLUME LOSS - Vitamin B12
Reference: "Vitamin B12 status and rate of brain volume loss in community-dwelling elderly," Vogiatzoglou A, Refsum H, et al, Neurology, 2008; 71(11): 826-32. (Address: Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Le Gros Clark Building, South Parks Rd., Oxford OX1 3QX, UK. E-mail: anna.vogiatzoglou@dpag.ox.ac.uk ).
Summary: In a prospective study involving 107 community-dwelling volunteers between the ages of 61 and 87 years who were free of cognitive impairment at the start of the study, greater brain volume loss was found to be associated with lower levels of vitamin B12 and holotranscobalamin (both of which remained significant after adjusting for various potential confounding factors). An increased rate of brain volume loss was found among subjects in the lowest tertile of vitamin B12 levels (<308 pmol/L) (odds ratio: 6.17), the lowest tertile of holoTC (<54 pmol/L) (odds ratio: 5.99), and low transcobalamin saturation. The authors conclude, "Low vitamin B(12) status should be further investigated as a modifiable cause of brain atrophy and of likely subsequent cognitive impairment in the elderly."

If you have been reading this BLOG and/or my monthly newsletter, herbalYODA Says! or erviewing my website you will find a goodly amount of information about vitamin B12.

Sadly, in today's mainstream, cookie cutter medicine, the loss of this amazing nutrient in practice is ignoring a tool that can support the health of many people, and help correct many health woes.

Some benefits of B12 include reducing or eliminating hypertension in women, reversing the anemia associated with cancer and chemotherapy, reversing the nutrient depletion caused by too many pharmaceuticals (many for diabetes and cardiovascular disease), protecting the growing fetus and mother during pregnancy, staving off dementia, protecting and improving general health.

The problem currently is that mainstream medicine fears giving this vitamin, by injection, because they might lose their license. They rigidly abide by a lab result that may show a good level of B12 in the blood but fail to look at B12 levels in the cell - where it counts.

As we age, and the more we rely on cell phones and wireless technology, we cannot process B12 orally.

The sublingual tablets or homeopathic remedies (such as RK BioDrops) offer benefit. For sublingual use, I suggest (based on existing medical references from the days when B12 shots were not taboo) 2400 mcg daily or 2800 mcg daily for ill, aging people and in pregnancy.

For vegetarians we always suggest an excellent organic B12 we obtain from Germany or eat some meat. Adelle Davis always promoted calve's liver for this reason.

And move away from fake food and non-fat diets too.

Check this blog for more on B12. Our May 2007 newsletter is also available by request with a donation. Purchases of RK BioDrops and organic nutritional yeast may be completed by contacting us.

Read more »

Posted in: anemia,red blood cells,vitamin B12