Vitamin B-12

Deborah Capen (dcapen(AT)ivic.net)
Sun, 5 Oct 1997 16:17:48 -0700

I picked up my handy "MS Facts" book, looked up vitamins, and this is what I
read- "Neurologic problems may develop with diets deficient in some
vitamins......Unnecessary vitamin supplements do not affect the outcome of
MS, but protracted abuse of some vitamins can cause neurologic disease."

The book mentions Thiamine (vitamin B6) deficiency damages nerve cells, then
people tried to take high daily doses of it. But high doses can cause
"numbness in the fingers and toes, unsteadiness in walking, and
pins-and-needles sensations."

In mentioning B-12, it says "deficiency causes spinal cord disease with
spasticity and weakness, but high doses of this vitamin do not improve any
aspect of multiple sclerosis. When a vitamin B-12 deficiency does occur, it
is usually because of a problem with absorbing the vitamin, so oral
supplements do nothing to relieve it."

Of course, you have to remember this book was written by a doctor, and it is
well known that doctors and pro-vitamin people have debated vitamin benefits
for many years. So you might get a different opinion, depending on the
source of your information.
Debbie
dcapen(AT)ivic.net