> I would agree with this except that supplements don't seem to do anything.
>
The terminal ileum, one of the major sites of nutrient absorption, is
where B12 is absorbed.  A good bit of mine was removed some time ago.  I
developed pernicious anemia (B12 deficiency).  Though I never took a B12
injection in my life, I began using a subligual B12 tablet.  My blood
B12 levels run above normal now.  You can find references on the
efficacy of subligual B12 supplements in Murray's Encyclopedia of
Nutritional Supplements.

Magnesium and zinc absorption are also impaired when the terminal ileum
is disturbed.  Also, the manufacture of B vitamins by gut bacteria is
most prolific at that site.

I become almost crippled with muscle pain when I stop supplementing with
magnesium, again due to gut malabsorption problems.  I also get heart
palps and nightly foot, ankle and leg cramps, which subside when I dose
high enough. The stuff works.  See the same reference for many studies
of magnesium supplements.

I recently stopped the profuse hair loss I was having last year by
megadosing with biotin.  Some of the fresh new hair coming in gray but,
what the heck, at least it's there!

I won't get into detail about the wonderful results I've had by using
DHEA and pregnenolone for impaired adrenal function, since they're too
errotic for this list  ;-)

My low white cell count didn't come up on 25mg. zinc, but it did with
50mg.

I certainly don't enjoy spending my meager income on this stuff, but it
sure beats having to resort to prescription medications when health
problems occur.  That's what I get for being a stubborn vegan for so
many years.   A hard lesson learned over time and passed on for all
those lurking vegetarians out there.

Lois