Parkinson's disease is characterized by tremors and difficulty with movement, coordination, walking, speech and cognition. According to the University of Maryland, s-adenosylmethionine, or SAMe, as it is commonly called, a natural substance found in almost every cell in the body, works together with Vitamin B12 and helps process serotonin, melatonin and dopamine, the very brain chemical alterations involved in the development of Parkinson's disease. It also helps promote immune system function. Subsequently, a deficiency in Vitamin B12 also results in a deficiency in SAMe, and affects mobility, speech, movement and cognition in people living with Parkinson's disease.
Causes of Parkinson's
According to the University of Maryland, preliminary studies have shown that in people living with Parkinson's disease, those with cognitive impairment had significantly lower blood levels of Vitamin B12, or cyanocobalamin. That is, it appears that Vitamin B12 deficiency is a major factor in memory and cognitive changes associated with Parkinson's disease. However, more studies are needed to further reveal the causes of and cures for Parkinson's disease.
B12 Food Resources
B12 is available in many basic foods, and can be increased easily by carefully planning meals in advance. Good sources of B12 include fish, shellfish, dairy products, organ meats, beef, pork and eggs. Generally, the Vitamin B12 in foods is adequate; however sometimes supplementation is necessary, as in people living with pernicious anemia.
B12 Supplements
For people found to be deficient in Vitamin B12 due to inadequate intake, supplementation is recommended. For that purpose, Vitamin B12 is available in tablet, caplet, intranasal, lozenges and softgels and injectable forms. The RDA, or recommended allowance, of Vitamin B12 for adults is 2.4 mcg to 2.8 mcg.
Aging and B12 Deficiency
According to the National Parkinson Foundation, there is a decrease in the absorption of Vitamin B12 as one ages. According to the University of Maryland, between 10 and 30 percent of middle-aged people over the age of 50 do not get the recommended amount of Vitamin B12 from their dietary intake and require supplementation. This is important as B12 is vitally necessary to the health of the brain and nervous system networks. Additionally, aging decreases the available B12, thereby slowing reflexes and cognitive processes.
B12 Warning
There are a number of meds that decrease Vitamin B12 blood levels, thereby provoking the challenging symptoms of Parkinson's disease in some people. These medications include anti-seizure medications, chemotherapy, diabetes medications and gastrointestinal medications. Additionally, tetracycline should be taken at a different time than Vitamin B12, as it has been known to interfere with absorption of the tetracycline.
