In the last X Fact Is There a Better Blood Test for B12 Deficiency Other Than a B12 Level, it was explained how MMA will accumulate in the cell when there is not enough B12 to meet its energy needs and can be measured in blood as an indicator of B12 deficiency. But, the MMA level in blood is rapidly filtered through the kidneys and concentrated in the urine up to 40 times as much as in the blood and therefore, even slight elevations above normal can be more easily detected. This concentration effect and the fact that MMA is much more stable in urine than blood (up to three weeks in a urine sample at room temperature) makes it a much more reliable and sensitive test than measuring blood MMA.
One more point. Because kidney filtration can vary from one time to another within the same individual, or between people with different levels of kidney function, the amount of MMA measured in urine always has to be compared to creatinine (a waste product) measured in the same sample. Because creatinine is a reliable indicator of kidney function and filtration, the MMA/creatinine ratio can correct for any decrease in kidney function or high filtration rates, that can give falsely elevated results. This is why the test is reported as micrograms MMA per milligrams creatinine (mcg MMA/mg creatinine) and a value above 3.8mcg MMA/mg creatinine indicates vitamin B12 deficiency and a value below 3.8 indicates adequate cellular B12 status. Simple as that.
All living cells, proteins, sugars and fats are made from carbon. Transferring single carbons from one molecule to the next is critical for modulating proteins and genes to function normally.
Choline is the main nutritional source of single carbon and vitamin B12 and folate receive their single carbon payloads from choline. These single carbons are called 'methyl' groups and their essential role in metabolic reactions is called 'methylation'.
Methylation also plays a key role in transporting the essential fatty acid DHA into the developing fetal brain as well as throughout the lifespan for healthy neural function.
Made in the stomach, IF is a protein that binds B12 and transports it to the B12 receptors in the distal small intestine to be naturally absorbed by the body.
Xeragenx's Human Intrinsic Factor is not from humans or animal sources, but is produced from a plant using the human IF gene with recombinant technology.
Made in the stomach, IF is a protein that binds B12 and transports it to the B12 receptors in the distal small intestine to be naturally absorbed by the body.
Xeragenx's Human Intrinsic Factor is not from humans or animal sources, but is produced from a plant using the human IF gene with recombinant technology.
In the Xeragenx garden, we are growing Intrinsic Factor and that can change the lives of one billion people with vitamin B12 deficiency.
Juicing with a difference. The Xeragenx way!