Besides being anti-inflammatory, vitamin B-12 is required in the process of making myelin sheathes, which are being attacked in MS, Lyme Disease, autism, ALS, and possibly Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. In one study, researchers found that low B-12 levels were associated with the early onset of MS.

Fifteen to twenty percent of the U.S. population is deficient in vitamin B-12. A deficiency in vitamin B-12 can lead to a deficiency in magnesium, which was discussed earlier and is a contributing factor in Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, arthritis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, SLE (Lupus), and asthma. Because vitamin B-12 is stored in the liver and kidneys for up to nine months, a deficiency is often due to malabsorption. Alcohol use, tobacco, coffee, and laxatives inhibit absorption. 

The Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for vitamin B-12 is 2 micrograms for adults. Supplements range in strength from 50 micrograms to 2 milligrams. One study showed that twice weekly injections of 1000 mcg of vitamin B12 for 6 weeks cleared up lesions in lupus patients.

Note: Soy foods cause the body to require more B-12.

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