Recently, I sent a couple of my family members to get tested for a gene called Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor. Reason being is the fact I was diagnosed with it myself and learned that it also may be genetic. My doctor wasn’t able to tell me that much about this gene due to the fact that it is pretty new to American Doctors. So I had to do most of the research myself to get any straight answers about this Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Gene. I did find that this gene has been associated with a wide variety of diseases and disorders. The majority of the problems that derive from this particular gene are also a lot of the common complaints that my family members have.
Luckily the family members that did get tested did not come back positive for Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Gene. Instead they came back with test results that revealed a Vitamin B12 Deficiency. This would have been easily overlooked if it wasn’t for the fact that my family members had asked for extensive blood work to be done. Actually Vitamin B12 Deficiency is one of the most common disorders that are overlooked by Physicians. It’s not that your Physician lacks common sense; it’s just that they have been conditioned to look for other ailments. The Prescription Drug Manufacturers target Doctors more then they target us. In fact I read a story written by a man who left medical school in the United States. His reasons had more to do with his morals then anything. In his story he explained that the majority of his classes and seminars focused on prescribing medication rather then preventive healthcare. He ended up moving over seas to do just that, focus on preventative healthcare, not writing out scripts all day.
So you may be wondering what conditions are linked with Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Here are the conditions that I was able to find, there may be more.
Atherosclerosis
The Early onset of Alzheimer’s disease
Muscle Tremors
Depression
Osteoporosis
Cataracts
Strokes at an early age
Infertility
Metabolic Syndrome
And, Dementia
I’m sure there are other conditions that are linked with Vitamin B12 Deficiency, but that is all I have been able to find for now. I actually have put a book on my things to purchase, it’s titled: Could it be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses written by Sally M. Pacholok, R.N. and Jeffrey J. Stuart, D.O.
What are some of the symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Loss of Appetite
Diarrhea
Numbness in the hands and feet
Paleness
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Weakness
Sore Mouth and Tongue
Confusion or Change in Mental Status
You would have to ask your Physician to screen you for Vitamin B12 Deficiency to be certain if this is the problem. Deficiency of B12 has been known to mock the exact symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, and Dementia.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency is thought to be so common that Scientists have no way to accurately predict how many people are walking around unaware that they have this problem. One of the reasons that this condition is becoming so common is due to increase of Vegetarian and Vegan lifestyles. The reason is due to the fact that Vitamin B12 is only found in foods of animal origin. Meat, fish and any product made from milk. Well, that at least would explain my constant cravings for milk. Another reason is because our bodies decrease there ability to absorb vitamins properly as we age. This usually starts in our forties and becomes much worse after we hit sixty.
Well I’m not a vegetarian, vegan or over age forty. Well that’s because those are the reasons the epidemic is as common as it is. It is suspected that my family has a genetic predisposition that causes the Malabsorptionof Vitamin B12. We may lack a substance known as Intrinsic factor in our digestive tracts. Instrinic Factor is a protein made by your stomach and is essential for absorbing B12. Lack or absence of this protein of course leads to the deficiency.
Some of you may be thinking that the problem can be easily solved just by taking a daily multi-vitamin. Actually if you have a condition that prevents the absorption of Vitamin B12 taking a multi-vitamin will not help. The solution is either going for weekly shots of vitamin B12 or taking a liquid B complex solution that can be absorbed under your tongue.
Like I said before you would have to consult with your Physician to be sure if this is your problem. Especially if you have any of the conditions or symptoms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. The Prescription Drug manufactures are actually counting on the fact that you will be misdiagnosed with the conditions B12 Deficiency mocks. Having the correct diagnosis of B12 Deficiency can save you thousands of dollars in prescription costs. There’s a reason that the Drug Manufacturing Industry is a 275 Billion Dollar a year Corporation. It’s also the reason that Prescription Drug advertising is banned in every country except here in the United States. These countries are tired of people believing that they have all these complex issues that can be corrected by a healthy lifestyle.
Oh, I can’t believe I almost forget to mention this. In the beginning I mentioned that I had been diagnosed with Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Gene, which causes blood clotting. After looking into Vitamin B12, I learned that the deficiency is what led to the formation of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor. It can also be linked with many other blood clotting disorders as well.
Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin which means your body will flush out what it doesn’t need. So increasing your daily dose is safe as long as it is not in a form of a multi-vitamin that contains fat soluble vitamins.
