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| Sally M. Pacholok, R.N., B.S.N. and Jeffrey J. Stuart, D.O., authors of Could It Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses |
Vitamin B12 deficiency can mimic dementia, multiple sclerosis, early Parkinson's disease, diabetic neuropathy or even chronic fatigue syndrome. It can cause depression and mental illness, infertility in men and women, or developmental disabilities in children. Other groups at risk for B12 deficiency include vegans, vegetarians, alcoholics, and people with celiac disease, Crohn's disease, gastric bypass, autoimmune diseases, and AIDS.
B12 deficiency is common and reported to affect 25% of the U.S. poplulation. It strikes up to 15% (5.9 million) adults 64 and over. The CDC reports that one out of every 31 Americans over the age of 50 are B12 deficient.
Vitamin B12 is found naturally in animal foods including meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, dairy products, and eggs.
Could It Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses, uncovers how standard medical practice has for decades misdiagnosed vitamin B12 deficiency. Even though it's a common disorder that can be easily diagnosed and inexpensively treated, few patients are tested for B12 deficiency. In 1985, Sally Pacholok diagnosed herself with vitamin B12 deficiency, after her doctors failed to identify her condition. As a result, she is passionate about the need to educate the public about the dangerous consequences of this hidden and all-too-common disease.
Source: B12Awareness.org
Shared with: the healthy home economist
