Should I change my diet or take supplements for my vitiligo? Blog Posts by Title Afamelanotide tested as a new treatment for vitiligo Answer to what causes vitiligo? Chemicals can cause vitiligo and also make it worse Clinuvel reports that afamelanotide (Scenesse) continues to be promising in a small 2nd trial conducted in Singapore Did Michael Jackson have vitiligo? Excitement is Building - World Vitiligo Day 2016! I have vitiligo, will I get skin cancer? IN HER WORDS: Valarie Molyneaux, president and founder of Vitfriends and Adam Friedman, MD Ruxolitinib (Jakafi) is a new drug that worked for a patient with vitiligo! Should someone with vitiligo get a tattoo? Summary of the vitiligo patient meeting in Orange, CA on September 27th, 2015 Surgical treatment (and maybe even a cure) for vitiligo The Vitiligo Clinic and Research Center is Growing! Tofacitinib treatment for vitiligo Vitiligo Clinic Patients Frequently ask - “Why did this happen?”
Vitiligo genetics gets another boost! Vitiligo gets even more visibility: Chantelle Brown-Young on America’s Next Top Model Vitiligo JAK Inhibitor Update Vitiligo making progress in Singapore! Vitiligo patient meeting in Orange, CA - Advances in Vitiligo Research and Care Vitiligo research update in Rome! Vitiligo Simvastatin Clinical Trial Results Vitiligo: Truth, Hope and Change Why isn’t there a cure for vitiligo? Will my children/family get vitiligo? World Vitiligo Day 2015! Difficulty with balance is a symptom of B12 deficiency. Recent onset/chronic diarrhea or diarrhea for 1-3 months Intermittent diarrhea can be a sign of B12 deficiency. Regular/frequent episodes of diarrhea (Much) reduced sense of taste Glossitis (inflamed tongue) is a possible sign of B12 deficiency. Moderate/major/very great unexplained weight loss Tender calf muscles or very tender calves If vitamin B12 deficiency becomes pronounced, the nervous system can be affected, causing progressive peripheral neuropathy (tingling of the fingers and toes), muscle weakness, staggering, tenderness in the calves, confusion.
Shortness of breath when at rest Slightly impaired ability to walk Staggering can be caused by advanced B12 deficiency. Pale skin, often with a lemon tint, can be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency. Pale skin, often with a lemon tint, can be a sign of B12 deficiency. Megaloblastic Anemia / Pernicious Anemia The main indicator of vitamin B12 deficiency is pernicious anemia, which in turn is due to a deficiency of intrinsic factor. Impaired white blood cells response can be a sign of B12 deficiency. Studies show that one out of four people hospitalized for depression is deficient in pyridoxine and cobalamin. Researchers at the University of California devised a study to determine if low levels of vitamin B-12 might be associated with bone loss in older women. Results showed that women with the lowest levels of B-12 had a significantly higher risk of bone loss and fractures compared to women with the highest levels. The researchers also noted that for some women, B-12 supplements may help slow the rate of bone loss.
Crohn's disease can lead to malabsorption of vitamin B12. Gluten Sensitivity / Celiac Disease Celiac disease can lead to malabsorption of vitamin B12. Achlorhydria leads to improper absorption of nutrients such as B12. Elevated urine MMA levels The UMMA test is a functional assay. UMMA reflects cobalamin (Vitamin B12) activity at the tissue/cellular level since MMA levels are directly related to a B12-dependent metabolic pathway. The conversion of MMA to succinic acid requires vitamin B12. The metabolic pathway is: MMA → (coenzyme B12 ) → succinic acid. Vitamin B12 deficiency impedes this pathway and causes MMA levels to increase. Thus, as water builds up behind a dam, high UMMA levels indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency. A urine MMA test is recommended for properly diagnosing B12 deficiency due to the possible lack of sensitivity of serum B12 tests. Normal urine MMA levels A normal or high B12 level makes B12 deficiency less likely, but does not rule it out.
Having had a small bowel resection Resection of the bowel increases the risk of vitamin B12 malabsorption. Even 7% to 10% of individuals with serum vitamin B12 levels in the 200-400pg/mL range have developed neuropsychiatric complications of vitamin B12 deficiency. Previously there was only concern when levels were below 200pg/mL. Cirrhosis of the Liver The liver is the body's main store of vitamin B12. Large parasites like the beef tapeworm compete with us for nutrients by robbing us of micronutrients (such as vitamins) before they get to the things we don't really need. Prilosec (omeprazole) has been shown to decrease B12 absorption. H2-receptor blockers appear to impair the absorption of vitamin B12 from food. This is thought to occur because the vitamin B12 in food is attached to proteins. Stomach acid separates them and allows the B12 to be absorbed. Excessive use of antibiotics or anti-convulsants can lead to B12 deficiency. Much vitamin C supplementation
Megadoses of and/or copper can cause B12 deficiency. (Discontinued) multiple vitamin use Frequent/routine/history of B12 injections Much/some vitamin B12 supplementation Medium-term vegan/long-term vegetarian/vegan diet Some 80% of those who have been vegan for 2 or more years suffer from some degree of B12 deficiency: B12 deficiency is surprisingly common amongst vegetarians. Vitamin B12 deficiency is the most common cause of megaloblastic anemia. Both long-term low dietary consumption and poor absorption are responsible for the final outcome of a B12 deficiency, namely megaloblastic anemia and neurological symptoms. The authors of one study note that the vegan diet provides essentially no vitamin B12, and people following unsupplemented vegetarian diets may suffer from a deficit as well due to the lower levels in the diet. In addition, people consuming the vegan and vegetarian diets were in general also not getting adequate amounts of the essential amino acid methionine, due to the lower methionine content in plant proteins versus animal proteins.
[Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 2000;44: pp.135-8] Serum vitamin B12 levels were 37% lower in the vegetarian group and 59% lower in the vegan group, compared with the omnivorous group. Vegetarians – 214.8 pmol/l Vegans – 140.1 pmol/l Omnivores – 344.7 pmol/l In addition, B12 levels were low enough to be considered clinically deficient in: 78% of the vegans 26% of the vegetarians 0% of the omnivores Researchers compared homocysteine (Hcy) levels in 62 vegetarians, 32 vegans, and 59 people consuming an omnivorous diet. Compared to the omnivorous group, whose average Hcy levels were about 10.2 mmol/l, levels in the other groups were found to be: More than 50% higher in the vegan group (15.8 mmol/l) About 30% higher in the vegetarian group (13.2 mmol/l) Serum folate levels were within the normal range for all three groups, although they were significantly lower in omnivores. The authors conclude that "The results show that the mild hyperhomocysteinemia in alternative nutrition is a consequence of vitamin B12 deficiency."