Vitamin B12 deficiency mimics dementia, depression, psychosis and multiple sclerosis symptoms, and is often misdiagnosed and wrongfully treated with pharmaceuticals.
Having abnormally low vitamin B12 levels disrupts methylation (affects detox, gene expression) and elevates homocysteine (linked to depression, cognitive decline). Genetic variations (MTHFR) can cause functional deficiency even with "normal" serum B12 levels.
Common causes of vitamin B12 deficiency include low stomach acid, vegan or vegetarian diets, autoimmunity, gut damage and use of certain medications (metformin, acid blockers).
Solutions include diet changes, supplementation with active forms and injection therapy.
In 2003, a 57-year-old woman spent months undergoing antipsychotic medications, antidepressants and two rounds of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) before doctors checked her vitamin B12 levels. Her symptoms — depression, anxiety, movement abnormalities, lethargy, hallucinations and catatonia — had escalated for years. Yet, within two months of vitamin B12 supplementation, she returned to her baseline health from 14 years prior, requiring no further psychiatric treatment....<<<Read More>>>...