Forums: September 2011 Kickstart Forum: B12 & Metformin
Created on: 09/06/11 11:01 AM Views: 1326 Replies: 7
sparkledee Joined: 09/04/11 Posts: 48	B12 & Metformin Posted Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 11:01 AM Last night I read a Yahoo article titled "5 Nutrients Your Not Getting Enough Of" and was quite surprised. It basically states theres been an increase in vitamin B12 deficiencies due to interactions with medications. The two the article references are Metformin and Prilosec. I take Metformin and recently was given some Prilosec samples from the Dr to try for stomach problems. I'm surprised he didn't mention the problem with B12 or want to do blood work to check for deficiencies since I've been on Metformin for 4 years. Has anyone heard of this problem before with B12 and Metformin? I've been using Nutritional Yeast to make sure I was getting enough in the first place, but now this. Here's the link in case anyone on Metformin or Prilosec wants to check it out (it was referring to Men's Health) but I'm sure it includes women on Metformin too. http://health.yahoo.net/experts/menshealth/5-nutrients-youre-not-getting-enough
	Edited 09/06/11 11:02 AM Quote | Send PM | Link | Top | Bottom
Bugsmom Joined: 09/13/10 Posts: 2069	RE: B12 & Metformin Posted Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 11:21 AM B12 is one of the things that most people, and vegans especially, don't get enough of. Many vegans simply take a B12 supplement of some sort as "insurance". While nutritional yeast is a routine part of our menu at home, I also take a multi "just in case" - particularly for B12 now that even dairy is out of the mix. I take one that has no gelatin and is appropriately adjusted for my age group. I didn't know that metformin affects it (been on metformin about 6 yrs now) but knowing that it can affect B12 makes me even more glad that I have been taking a supplement pretty much all along. --Deb R
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Susan Levin Joined: 12/26/09 Posts: 1190	RE: B12 & Metformin Posted Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 11:30 AM It's true. Metformin can induce a B12 deficiency. B12 is a finicky nutrient, requiring special enzymes in the gut, that deplete with age or other factors, to make it absorbable. ANYONE taking medication and/OR over the age of 50 should be taking a B12 supplement. Sublingual doses let you bypass the whole gut issue, as do injections. While it takes a while to deplete B12 stores (years!), once the problem has manifested, it may be too late. Susan Levin, MS, RD PCRM Director of Nutrition Education
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Bugsmom Joined: 09/13/10 Posts: 2069	RE: B12 & Metformin Posted Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 11:34 AM I just figure that, given the amount in each multi compared to the amount needed (on average) that even with some lost due to digestion and poor absorption, there's likely enough getting through. Add in the nutritional yeast (we've got a few recipes that include it so it's on the regular rotation) and it's likely that I'm getting a better supply now than when I first started taking it some 6 years ago when I wasn't vegan or taking a supplement. I am particularly careful about it because there was an interesting episode of the TV program "House" where the patient was having all sorts of problems due to major B12 deficiency (apparently a big ugly tapeworm type parasite was sucking it all out of the foods the patient was eating). Really creepy! --Deb R
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Brokendoll1982 Joined: 09/02/11 Posts: 4	RE: B12 & Metformin Posted Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 11:50 AM About 6 months ago when I went to the doctors they informed me I was B12 deficient and considering i do take a multi vit (ok, not every day) i was a bit taken aback. When I discussed it with them they said it was because of when I was vegetarian for 13yrs prior I wasn't bothering with a suppliment for anything cos vegetarian food is so widely available and NOT enriched with vitamins.
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LaniMuelrath Joined: 12/30/09 Location: California Posts: 557	RE: B12 & Metformin Posted Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 4:13 PM This may not specifically address the metformin issue, yet it does answer a lot of questions about b12: Dr. McDougall on supplementing with b12 (video) Lani Facebook Celebrity Tips Page Lani Muelrath, M.A. CGFI, CPBN the Plant-Based Fitness Expert McDougall Health & Medical Center 5 Minute Fitness & Plant-based Blueprint www
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christiebelle Joined: 09/04/11 Posts: 2	RE: B12 & Metformin Posted Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 8:37 PM my doc always tests for b12 when I go in because I used to take metformin. Since I have been vegan my insulin and blood sugar levels have returned to normal in just a few weeks and I was able to quit taking the metformin. also I take a b12 sublingual supplement and I had no b12 deficiency. as always do not go off your metformin without talking to your doc, I basically quit eating all processed foods and eliminated all sugar except maple syrup that we make here at our home.
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Mariberry Joined: 01/02/10 Posts: 297	RE: B12 & Metformin Posted Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 8:52 PM Susan Levin wrote: Sublingual doses let you bypass the whole gut issue, as do injections. While it takes a while to deplete B12 stores (years!), once the problem has manifested, it may be too late. I'm on a very low dose of metformin (250mg twice/day) and often hopeless at remembering to take it so I'm not sure if this applies to my issues but I find this very interesting. Susan, what is a "sublingual dose" and what do you mean by "once the problem has manifested it may be too late"..? Thanks for your help! All we are saying is "Give Peas a Chance"
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