Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin found in dairy products, eggs and meats. It is bound to protein and released for use in the body by stomach acid. Unlike most water-soluble vitamins, vitamin B12 is stored in the liver. Elevated levels of vitamin B12 are unusual and often due to supplements or injections used in treating vitamin B12 deficiencies. Increased levels of vitamin B12 may also indicate liver disease, leukemia or an overgrowth of bacteria in your digestive system. Using probiotics to support your digestive and immune systems in conjunction with your treatment program is recommended by the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Step 1
Consult your doctor or health provider before adding any supplement or herbal remedy to your diet plan. Some prescription medications are adversely impacted by vitamin, mineral or herbal supplements and remedies, including probiotics.
Step 2
Incorporate live culture yogurt in your daily eating plan. According to NYU Langone Medical Center, 1 cup of yogurt taken three times daily improved the symptoms of adults with liver disease, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis.
Step 3
Substitute acidophilus milk for milk. Drinking up to 4 cups of acidophilus milk daily provides enough L. acidophilus to help relieve digestive tract upsets and diarrhea.
Step 4
Take probiotic supplements to add a variety of beneficial bacteria to your body. While L. acidophilus is probably the best known probiotic, there are at least 20 other beneficial bacteria that are considered probiotics, including B.bifidum, L.reuteri and S. thermophilus.
Step 5
Add grains and fresh fruits and vegetables such as asparagus, bananas, barley, collard greens, oats, spinach and tomatoes to your diet to feed the beneficial bacteria in your digestive system.
Tips and Warnings
- High levels of vitamin B12 are not considered dangerous, however consult your doctor for advice on your medical conditions. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that crowd out harmful bacteria that cause diarrhea and digestive system upsets. Probiotics are live bacteria; you should replenish your system daily for optimum results.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you develop an allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, hives or a rash. Diarrhea is a life-threatening health condition; contact your doctor before self-treating with probiotics.
Things You'll Need
- Yogurt with live active cultures
- Acidophilus milk
- Probiotic products
References
- Mayo Clinic; Vitamin B12; August 2011
- Lab Tests Online; Vitamin B12 & Folate; May 2011
- NYU Langone Medical Center; Acidophilus and Other Probiotics; August 2011
- Illinois Wesleyan University; Health Benefits Probiotics: Good-for-Your Gut Bugs; Laurine Brown; September 2007
- Mayo Clinic; C. difficile; November 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Leukemia; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; June 2010
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