your welcome ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Ross" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2001 3:05 PM Subject: Re: B-12 Deficiency > Thanks, Blake. > > David > > -----Original Message----- > From: Raw Food Diet Support List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > On Behalf Of Blake Graham > Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2001 12:50 AM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: B-12 Deficiency > > > From: http://216.118.123.225/health/b12.html > > "Symptoms > > Neurological Symptoms > Neurological symptoms are the biggest worry in B12 deficiency because > they can be irreversible. However, if caught early enough, they can be > reversed in many cases. > > One theory of why nerve problems occur in B12 deficiency is from a lack > of methionine (from B12 not converting Hcy back into methionine) which > creates a lack of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM).35 SAM is required for the > production of phosphatidylcholine36 which is part of the myelin (the > fatty material that insulates many nerves). Phosphatidylcholine improves > nerve transmission.36 > > Another theory is that the altered nerve function of B12 deficiency is > possibly due to the body's inability to convert methylmalonyl-CoA (a 3 > carbon molecule) to succinyl-CoA (a 4 carbon molecule). This inability > results in a build up of propionyl-CoA (a 3 carbon molecule). Fatty > acids are normally made by adding 2 carbons at a time to an even > numbered carbon molecule. In an overabundance of 3 carbon molecules, > large amounts of unusual 15-carbon and 17-carbon fatty acids could be > produced and incorporated into nerve sheets, causing altered nerve > function.103 > > Early Signs of B12 Deficiency > According to Crane et al.18 (1994, USA), the usual vegan patient has no > clinical symptoms or signs of inadequate B12. Early manifestations are > unusual fatigue, faulty digestion (no appetite or nausea) and loss of > menstruation. Other symptoms are nervousness, numbness and tingling of > the hands and feet, mild depression, striking behavioral changes, > paranoia, hyperactive reflexes, fever of unknown origin,18 frequent > upper respiratory infections,19 impotence, impaired memory,49 > infertility,55 sore tongue, and diarrhea.60" > > Blake >