Dr.

David Brownsteins
February 2013

Vitamin B12 Boosts Energy

And Cures Fatigue

ike many other people, when I was a child my

mother used to tell me to take my vitamins
so that I would grow up healthy. And I
did. Unfortunately, too many people forget their
mothers advice when they are finished growing up.
Vitamins are organic substances that our bodies
need for normal cellular activity and function. With
the exception of vitamin D, none of these substances
can be manufactured in the body. Therefore,
vitamins must be acquired through our diets.
One of those essential elements that we cannot
live without is vitamin B12 (also called cobalamin),
a water-soluble compound that plays a key role in
the functioning of the brain and nervous system,
and helps in the formation of blood cells.
Most doctors feel that B12 deficiency is rare. I
can assure you, however, that vitamin B12 deficiency
is very common, and is increasing at epidemic rates.
In this months issue of Natural Way to Health,
I will tell you everything you need to know about
this essential nutrient, including how vitamin B12
deficiency harms your body and how you can assure
that you get enough.

Minimal vs. Optimal Nutrient Intake

Vitamin B12 was first discovered in 1948 by
three chemists Mary Shaw Shorb, Karl Folkers,
and Alexander Todd.
Like all of the B vitamins, it is water-soluble,
which means it is nearly impossible to take too
much, as excess is eliminated in the urine.
In medical school, I was taught that people
could get all the nutrients they need from food.

Vol. 6, Issue 2

We were taught this even though we had no formal

training about what was actually in food.
Furthermore, we were taught that doctors who
used B12 injections to make their patients feel better
were not practicing good medicine. At that time, I
looked down upon doctors who gave their patients
B12 injections. I now regret that arrogant attitude,
as I am now much more knowledgeable about this
vital nutrient.
The United States government sets minimal
nutritional recommendations for common vitamins
and minerals. In the past, these were referred to as
the recommended daily allowance, or RDA. The
recommendations are now called dietary reference
intake, or DRI.
Both recommendations suggest that 2.4 mcg per
day of vitamin B12 is sufficient to meet the needs of
the majority of our population.
Its true that the DRI provides a guideline for

In This Issue...

Countless Patients Suffer From B12 Deficiency...... 2

Medications Can Block Nutrient Uptake................ 3
Case Study: Engineer Learns About Lipids............. 4
B12 Is Vital for Maintaining Nerve Function.......... 5
The Link to Pernicious Anemia................................ 5
In the News: Mammograms Dont Stop Cancer..... 6
Which Type of Vitamin B12 Works Best?................. 7
Ask Dr. B..................................................................... 8

The Vast Majority of Patients

Respond Well to B12 Therapy
It is important to have your vitamin B12 level
checked periodically, because a reading below
600 mg/mL may indicate a deficiency which can, in
fact, be life-threatening.
Correcting B12 deficiency is one of the most
rewarding things I do in my practice. I cant tell you
how many thousands of patients have had their
health significantly improved with B12 therapy.
Over the last 20 years, I have placed thousands of
patients on injectable and oral vitamin B12 therapy,
and 80 percent of patients have had a positive
response to it. Twenty percent get no response.
If there is no allergy to B12 therapy, there are no
negative effects from a trial of B12 therapy.
Keep in mind that vitamin B12 is required by
every cell in the body. It is necessary for optimal
red blood cell function, neurological function, and
DNA synthesis. The immune system cannot function
without vitamin B12. Because it affects every cell in
the body, deficiency can manifest with a myriad of
complaints and diseases.

the minimal intake needed to avoid severe vitamin

deficiencies. However, these levels are not even close
to providing the body with the correct amount of
nutrients to maintain optimal function.
For example, The DRI for vitamin C is 90 mg
per day for men. This will prevent life-threatening
vitamin C deficiency scurvy but it doesnt
provide enough vitamin C to prevent diseases such
as cancer and heart disease.
The same is true of the DRI for vitamin B12.
Modern life exposes us to an increasing number and
variety of toxic chemicals. The detoxification system
of the body is responsible for neutralizing these
toxins and helping the body excrete them.

Countless Patients Suffer Deficiency

This continuous exposure to toxic elements

has increased our need for optimal rather than
minimal intake of nutrients. Exposure to toxins
requires increasing vitamin and mineral ingestion,
including vitamin B12.
There are many ways to test nutrient levels,
including analyzing:
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Hair
Serum
Urine
Unfortunately, all of these methods may be
inadequate to test a nutrient that works inside
the cells, as vitamin B12 does. In fact, vitamin B12
performs a wide range of functions within the body,
and all of them occur inside the cells.
Currently, there is no test to measure the B12
level inside the bodys cells. The serum test measures
the vitamin B12 level in the bloodstream. The
reference range is 260 to 1,100 mg/mL. My clinical
experience has clearly shown that the B12 reference
range is much too large.
Although I test every patients B12 level,
determining whether or not a patient needs to start
therapy cant be guided by their serum level alone. It
should be actually decided more on a clinical basis.
In other words, there are countless patients who
suffer from B12 deficiency even though they test
within the reference range.

What Vitamin B12 Can Do for You

The most common complaint I hear from

patients is that they feel fatigued. In fact, more than
80 percent of my patients suffer chronic fatigue.
Along with fatigue, patients may experience
depression, brain fog, body aches and pains,

Dr. David Brownsteins Natural Way to Health is a publication of Newsmax Media, Inc., and Newsmax.com. It is published monthly at a charge of $54.00 per year and is offered online and
in print through Newsmax.com.
Our editorial offices are located at 560 Village Boulevard, Ste. 120, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409.
The owner, publisher, and editor are not responsible for errors and omissions. Rights of reproduction and distribution of this newsletter are reserved.
Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution of information contained herein, including storage in retrieval systems or posting on the Internet, is expressly forbidden without the consent
of Newsmax Media.
For permission, contact the publisher at: PO Box 20989, West Palm Beach, Florida 33416.
CEO Christopher Ruddy Health Publisher Travis Davis Author David Brownstein, M.D. Contributing Editor Matthew Kalash Production/Art Director Phil Aron
To contact Dr. David Brownsteins Natural Way to Health send e-mail to: askdrdavid@newsmax.com. Subscription/Customer Service contact 1-800-485-4350 or naturalway@newsmax.
com. Send e-mail address changes to naturalway@newsmax.com
2013 Newsmax Media, all rights reserved. Please note that this advice is generic and not specific to any individual. You should consult with your doctor before undertaking any medical
or nutritional course of action.

health

Page 2

drbrownstein.newsmax.com

February 2013

cognitive decline, and memory loss. All of these

symptoms can be related to B12 deficiency.
Why would vitamin B12 be associated with
fatigue? Because it is an essential nutrient for the
production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP),
which is the energy molecule produced in the
mitochondria of every cell in the body.
To be clear, there are many factors that can
cause fatigue and the other symptoms mentioned
above, including hypothyroidism, low adrenal
function, and other nutritional deficiencies. But it
is impossible for a person with chronic fatigue to
improve their energy level if they are deficient in
vitamin B12.
Yet vitamin B12 is one of the safest and most
effective therapies for improving energy production
in the cells. My patients have told me time and time
again that when they started B12 therapy, the first
thing that improves is their energy level.

million people will die each year from this disease.1

Homocysteine is a protein produced in the
body; elevated levels of this protein have been
associated with heart disease. In fact, elevated
homocysteine levels have been associated with
blood clots, free radical formation, and impaired
vascular function.2, 3
Elevated homocysteine levels can be a sign
of vitamin B12 deficiency. They can also signal a
deficiency in folic acid, vitamin B6, or copper.
Luckily, homocysteine levels can be easily and
inexpensively checked with a fasting blood test.
Optimal levels are below 9 umol/L.
If your homocysteine levels are above 9 umol/L,
you should have a complete nutritional evaluation
performed, including measuring B12 levels.
I recommend a trial of vitamin B12 therapy in
any patient with elevated homocysteine levels.
Continued on page 5

Medications Block Nutrient Uptake

The epidemic of B12 deficiency is being driven,

in part, by commonly prescribed prescription
medications that interfere with B12 absorption and
utilization in the body. The absorption of vitamin
B12 from food depends on having proper stomach
acid. Inadequate stomach acid production or
medication that blocks stomach acid production
will guarantee vitamin B12 deficiency.
Acid-blocking medications are some of the most
commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S. In 2010,
more than $13 billion dollars were spent on the
most common ones a class of drugs called proton
pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as Nexium or Prilosec.
These medications function by shutting off acid
production in the stomach. Although they are only
indicated for short-term use, many patients are given
long-term treatment with PPIs.
Similarly, over-the-counter antacid medications
function to raise the pH of the stomach; their longterm use will also result in B12 deficiency.

The Link to Cardiovascular Disease

As Im sure youve heard many times over, heart

disease is the No. 1 killer in the world. The World
Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 17.3
million people died, worldwide, from heart disease
in 2008. By 2030, the WHO projects that 23.6
February 2013

David Brownstein, M.D., is a

board-certified family physician and
one of the foremost practitioners
of holistic medicine. Dr. Brownstein
has lectured internationally to
physicians and others about his
success with nutritional therapies
in his practice. His books include
Drugs That Dont Work and Natural
Therapies That Do!; Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You
Cant Live Without It; Salt Your Way To Health; The Miracle
of Natural Hormones; Overcoming Arthritis; Overcoming
Thyroid Disorders; The Guide to a Gluten-Free Diet; B12
For Health; The Guide to a Dairy-Free Diet; and The Soy
Deception. He is the medical director of the Center for
Holistic Medicine in West Bloomfield, Mich., where he lives
with his wife, Allison, and their teenage daughters, Hailey
and Jessica. For more information about Dr. Brownstein,
please go to www.drbrownstein.com.
IMPORTANT
As a subscriber to Dr. David Brownsteins Natural Way to
Health you may have opted to get this newsletter with our
Convenient Automatic Renewal program. If you decide not
to cancel your subscription, your credit card will be billed
each year and read NMX*DR BROWNSTEIN RPRT on your
credit card statement. Thank you.

newsmaxhealth.com

Page 3

Engineer Learns the Truth About Lipids

In each issue, I will share with you the story of one of
my patients and how sometimes simple alternative
approaches can solve major health problems. Names
and some details have been changed for privacys sake,
but the problems and their resolutions are real.
Dr. David Brownstein
Roger was a 69-year-old retired engineer whod had
stents placed in his coronary arteries two years before
I first saw him. Hed been doing well, but then chest
pain suddenly landed him in the emergency room.
A full cardiac workup failed to reveal the cause of
Rogers chest pain. Still, his cardiologist placed him on
a statin drug. Rogers cholesterol was 272 mg/dL and
his triglycerides were 173 mg/dL.
When Roger asked the doctor about lowering his
lipids naturally, the doctor laughed and said, There is
no way you can do that with your diet. If you want to
live, take the medication.
The problem was that Roger had tried cholesterollowering medications in the past, and had suffered
from muscle pain and fatigue.
Roger told the cardiologist about the side effects
he had experienced, but the doctor said he would just
have to live with it.

We Need Triglycerides to Store Energy

When I saw Roger, he looked well. Upon taking

a careful history, I found that he was eating the
standard American diet, consisting of a lot of refined
carbohydrates such as breads, pasta, and cereals.
I explained to Roger that he needed to change his
diet. I advised removing all grains, and explained that
high lipids meant that he needed to detoxify his liver.
Triglycerides are a type of fat that is used to store
energy. We need them. However, very high triglyceride
levels can cause problems such as inflammation of the
pancreas, while moderately high triglyceride levels
as in Rogers case have been associated with an
increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
High triglycerides can be caused by thyroid disease,
kidney illness, or too much alcohol.
But the majority of patients that I see who have
elevated triglycerides get them from poor dietary
choices.
Eating too many refined carbohydrates can also
lead to poor liver function. The livers job is to filter
toxins out of the blood. And in the toxic world we live
in, our livers are already working overtime.
Page 4

One way to help the liver is to remove toxins from

your diet. This includes eating organic food that is
pesticide- and synthetic hormone-free.
It is also important to drink adequate amounts
of water. If the body is not hydrated properly, toxins
become much more concentrated and cause more
problems for the liver.
How much water should you drink? Take your
weight in pounds, divide by two and the resulting
number is the amount of water you should drink in
ounces per day.
Finally, I asked Roger to take a supplement I have
designed to supply the liver with the proper nutrients
and optimize its detoxification pathways.

Lipids Are Like Steel for the Body

Roger wasnt very happy about my dietary

suggestions, but he said he would try it. We planned
to check his lipid levels in six weeks to see if there had
been a change.
Six weeks later, Rogers triglyceride level was
149 mg/dL and his cholesterol 247 mg/dL. But his
cardiologist was upset because Roger wasnt taking the
statin drug.
When Roger pointed out that his triglyceride and
cholesterol levels fell 30 mg/dL on the dietary changes,
he was ignored.
You dont need cholesterol or triglycerides in your
body, the cardiologist told him. You need medication
to lower them to near-zero.
But Roger had been reading about cholesterol and
triglycerides. He knew that his cells could not function
without them. I am an engineer, Roger said. I know
you cant manufacture a car without steel. It seems to
me that cholesterol and triglycerides are for my body
like steel is for a car.
I told Roger that he was right. Every cell in
our bodies requires lipids such as cholesterol and
triglycerides. Lowering lipid levels too much is not a
good idea.
My experience has shown that 170 to 250 mg/dL is
a good cholesterol range for most people. An optimal
triglyceride levels is less than 150 mg/dL for most.
If you have high cholesterol or triglyceride levels,
try a grain-free diet and detoxify your liver.
Check your numbers a month after making these
changes. The vast majority of patients will find that
their lipid numbers improve if they follow this
regimen.

drbrownstein.newsmax.com

February 2013

Special Advertiser Supplement

Are You Missing Out On This Superfood Miracle?

Discover how the most nutrient dense food

on the planet can revolutionize your health

id you know that even if you eat a healthy diet, chances

are youre not getting the nutrition you need to thrive? The
good news is that theres a nutrient-dense superfood out
there that can help you avoid harmful nutritional deficiencies. Please
keep reading and Ill tell you everything you need to know about it.
Im Joshua Corn, Editor-in-Chief of the Live in the Now natural
health newsletter. Our mission is to help people take control of
their health by providing practical natural health solutions.

The #1 Superfood Most Americans Ignore

In the last several years, sales of superfoods like blueberries and

broccoli have exploded, and this is a good sign. But Americans
have turned a blind eye to a simple, inexpensive food that NASA
uses to keep astronauts nourished on space journeys.[1] Spirulina, a
type of blue-green algae, is incredibly rich in highly absorbable nutrients including carotenoids, B vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Its
also the only known source of a powerful antioxidant phycocyanin.
Spirulina is approximately 70% protein by weight, making it the
most concentrated natural source of protein on earth.[2,3]
Research has proven spirulina:
3 Boosts energy levels naturally[4]
3 Supports cellular detoxification[4]
3 Promotes optimal heart health[5]
3 Nourishes and protects the liver[7]
3 Balances blood sugar levels[8]
3 Enhances cognitive function[9]
3 Promotes weight loss[10]

The Problems with Eating Algae

Spirulina is widely available in a freeze-dried powder form, but

its inconvenient, and frankly, has a less than pleasant algae smell
and taste. Thats why I recommend taking spirulina in tablet form,
however not just any tablet will do. The quality of the spirulina
available on the market varies wildly. Some of it is harvested from
waters tainted with radioactive fallout, heavy metals, pesticides and
other toxins. And if measures are not taken to preserve its freshness, it can become contaminated with yeast and mold.

My Quest for the Perfect Spirulina Supplement

Sadly, theres a lot of junk out there. Thats why I set out to create a
better spirulina supplement. My company, Stop Aging Now, has been
making premium grade supplements since 1995. Working with my
Scientific Advisory Board, I found a superior source of spirulina
thats certified organic and guaranteed to be free of contaminants
like pesticides, heavy metals, yeast and mold.

Spirulina + Astaxanthin = Nutritional Perfection

Finding the perfect source of organic spirulina took years of hard

work, but we realized that by combining it with the powerful antioxidant astaxanthin, wed have a truly remarkable supplement.
We found a source of astaxanthin that provides more than 3x the
antioxidant power of synthetic astaxanthin. We decided to call our
unique formula BlueZanthin. Incredibly, we also found a way to
make BlueZanthin smell and taste great, while boosting its antioxidant content! Each small tablet is coated with an all-natural blue
coating made from natural vanilla and the antioxidant phycocyanin.

I Personally Guarantee the Quality

BlueZanthin is made in the USA in an FDA-inspected facility that I

personally inspect monthly. I also send each batch out to an independent lab for quality testing. I stand by this product 100%. If you dont
like it, even AFTER ONE FULL YEAR, I will gladly give you a
FULL REFUND. It also ships to you for free so you risk nothing. Its
only available through this special offer. I hope youll give it a try!

-Joshua Corn
CEO of Stop Aging Now and Editor-in-Chief of Live in the Now

Try BlueZanthin RISK FREE!

Order Today & Get Free Priority Shipping (a $7.95 value)

Three Easy Ways to Order:

Toll-Free:
Online:
By Mail:

800-627-9721 Ref. Code: BLZSP3

www.StopAgingNow.com/blue3
Complete the below form and mail to:
Stop Aging Now Orders Department
8825 Boggy Creek Road, Orlando, FL 32824

Qty: 120 Tablets

1 Bottle = 1 Month Supply

q YOUR VERY BEST DEAL

Please send me 6 bottles of BlueZanthin for only

$99.00. (thats just $16.50 per bottle)

q GREAT SAVINGS

Please send me 3 bottles of BlueZanthin for only $59.85.

(thats just $19.95 per bottle)

q GOOD SAVINGS

Please send me 1 bottle of BlueZanthin for $24.95.

Made in USA

365 DAY
NATURAL SOLUTIONS FOR A LONGER, HEALTHIER LIFE

Return Policy

NOTE: This is NOT an automatic ship plan.

No other charges will be made other than your
initial order.
Free shipping applies to ground shipments within
the U.S. & Canada. Coupons cannot be applied.

The information contained in this piece is for general consumer understanding and education, and should not be considered or
used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This product is not an alternative to any prescription drug. If you
are currently taking a prescription drug, consult your doctor before making any changes. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

Scientific References: [1] Henrikson, R. Earth Food Spirulina. (1989) [2] Microbiol Rev. 1983; 47(4): 55178. [3] Chem Natur Comp. 40(3): 2004. [4] Mikrobial Epidemiol Immunobiol. 2001; 2: 114-118. [5] J
Med Food. 2009;12(1): 15-20. [6] Lipids Health Dis. 2007; 26:6-33. [7] J Ethnopharm. 1999; 64: 141-147. [8] Cyanobacterial Biotechnology. 1998: 301-304. [9] J Exp Neurol. 2005; 196(2): 298-307. [10] J Food
Sci Technol. 1996; 33(2): 124-128.

Continued from page 3

Diabetes Drug Causes B12 Deficiency

Maintaining Nerve Function

As I noted, vitamin B12 is necessary for optimal

brain and neurological function. It is also needed to
maintain the outer coating on the nerves, which is
called the myelin sheath.
The myelin sheath covers all nerve tissue both
in the brain and throughout the peripheral nervous
system. This fatty, protective covering insulates the
nerve fiber and helps to send electrical impulses
down the fiber.
If the myelin sheath is damaged, the nerve tissue
cannot properly send its signal. Such damage to the
myelin sheath is referred to as demyelination.
Demyelination occurs with a variety of diseases,
including Guillain-Barre syndrome, multiple
sclerosis, and transverse myelitis. This can lead to
a condition called neuropathy, the symptoms of
which include:
Bladder control problems
Burning or tingling anywhere in the body
Cognitive decline
Fatigue
Unsteady balance
Vision abnormalities
It is impossible to make myelin without
adequate amounts of vitamin B12.
Unfortunately, if B12 deficiency is not corrected
at an early stage, serious demyelinating disorders
may not be reversed with B12 therapy. That said, I
have found that vitamin B12 therapy helps many
cases of neuropathy.

The Link to Pernicious Anemia

Anemia is a condition in which a person has an

insufficient number of red blood cells, which carry
oxygen to the bodys tissues. This condition can

Exclusive to Current Subscribers

Current subscribers have instant access to any and every
past edition of Dr. Brownsteins Natural Way to Health.
Simply go here:
drbrownstein.newsmax.com

Check your e-mail inbox for this months password.

Metformin is a medication that is commonly

prescribed for diabetes. In 2010, there were more
than 48 million prescriptions written for this drug.
However, according to a study published in BMJ
(formerly the British Medical Journal), for every 14
patients treated with Metformin for four years, one
will have severely low vitamin B12 levels (less than
150 pmol/L). Furthermore, 1 in 9 will have moderately
low vitamin B12 levels (50 to 220 pmol/L).
If you are taking Metformin, you should talk to your
doctor about beginning B12 injections. Oral versions
of B12 will not work with Metformin. There are
other medications that interfere with B12 absorption
including antibiotics and potassium supplements.

occur from many causes, including low iron levels

and blood loss.
The result of anemia is an oxygen deficiency in
the tissues. Many people only associate anemia with
blood loss. However, one very common cause of
anemia is vitamin B12 deficiency also known as
pernicious anemia (PA).
PA affects approximately 1 to 2 percent of adults,
mostly over the age of 60. It is diagnosed when the
red blood cells are enlarged. Pernicious anemia can
be diagnosed with a simple, inexpensive test called a
complete blood count (CBC).
PA can occur because of insufficient B12
absorption in patients who do not produce
enough stomach acid, those who are taking antacid
medications, or those who are taking Metformin.
It is also associated with infections of H. pylori, a
bacteria found in the stomachs of patients with
gastric ulcers.
More than 50 percent of the worlds population
is estimated to be infected with H. pylori.4
Symptoms of PA include:
Headaches
Paresthesia (pins and needles)
Peripheral neuropathy
Spasticity
Unsteady gait
Remember that B12 deficiency is associated with

(Please remember to use lowercase letters.)

February 2013

Continued on page 7
newsmaxhealth.com

Page 5

In the News: Reading Between the Medical Headlines

Vitamin C Heals a Wide
Range of Chronic Diseases

A study published in the journal

Modern Research in Inflammation
(Vol.1, No. 2, 2012) found that
intravenous (IV) vitamin C therapy
decreased inflammatory markers
in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
patients.
The patients in this study were
characterized by moderate to high
levels of the inflammatory marker
C-reactive protein (CRP).
The scientists found that
varying doses of IV vitamin C
from 7.5 to 50 grams reduce
both pain as well as inflammatory
markers in the bloodstream of the
subjects.
The average CRP level before
treatment was high
at 9.4 mg/L (normal
is less than 3 mg/L).
After intravenous
vitamin C therapy,
CRP declined to 6.4
mg/L. The subjects
were given between
4 and 30 IVs of
vitamin C.
In fact, vitamin
C IV therapies
have been used to
successfully treat
many illnesses for nearly 100 years.
Vitamin C reduces inflammation
and heals injured tissue. It also
supports collagen formation, and
enhances extracellular protein
synthesis.
Most patients with chronic
illnesses, RA included, are found
to be deficient in vitamin C, which
is an essential nutrient that we
cannot manufacture in our bodies.
Simply put, we must get vitamin
C from our food supply or we will
fall ill and die.
Unfortunately, the levels of
vitamin C in food have been
steadily declining for 20 years.

Oral dosing of vitamin C

can help nearly any condition. I
suggest 3,000 to 5,000 mg per day.
For those with severe illnesses,
vitamin C IVs can make dramatic
changes in chronic disease. They
are both extremely safe and very
effective.
It is too bad that these things are
not taught in medical schools.

Study: Statins
Damage Muscles

Statin drugs are the most

commonly prescribed medication
for elevated cholesterol levels.
Researchers recently assessed
the effect of statins on the
inflammatory process induced
by injury to the muscles, and
published their findings in the
December 2012
issue of the journal
Muscle and Nerve.
The researchers
divided rats into
four groups: a
control group, a
statin-treated group,
a group treated with
statins and subjected
to muscle injury, and
a group subjected to
injury only.
The results showed that the
animals treated with statins
exhibited significantly greater
structural muscle damage
compared to the control group
and the injured group not given
statins.
Statin drugs lower lipid levels
by poisoning an enzyme called
HMG-CoA reductase, limiting
cholesterol production.
There is no doubt that statins
lower cholesterol levels. But is that
a wise thing to do?
Cholesterol has many important
functions in the body, including
helping repair injuries. After an

Most patients
with
chronic
illnesses are
found to be
deficient in
vitamin C.

Page 6

drbrownstein.newsmax.com

injury, one of the bodys first

reactions is to increase cholesterol
levels.
Poisoning the enzyme that
makes cholesterol does not make
sense. Every country where the
World Health Organization has
collected data has shown an
inverse relationship between
cholesterol levels and death rates
that is, higher cholesterol means
lower death rates.

Mammograms Are Not a

Good Screening Tool

An article in the November 22,

2012, issue of the New England
Journal of Medicine looked at
trends from 1976 to 2008 in earlystage (local) breast cancer and latestage breast cancer (into the nodes
or further tissues).
The authors used data that
accounted for 10 percent of the
population of women 40 years and
older in the United States.
They estimated that breast
cancer was overdiagnosed (i.e.,
tumors were detected that
would never had led to clinical
symptoms) in 1.3 million women
in that period.
The authors concluded that
. . . [mammographic screening] is
having, at best, only a small effect
on the rate of death from breast
cancer.
Mammograms do not represent
an effective preventative therapy
against breast cancer. They are
merely a diagnostic tool.
But mammograms also expose
the breasts to ionizing radiation
which actually causes cancer. Each
mammogram increases a womans
risk for breast cancer by 1 percent.
After 10 years of mammograms,
a womans breasts have been
exposed to a similar amount of
radiation that women experienced
one mile from Hiroshima.
February 2013

Continued from page 5

breakdown of the myelin sheath on the nerve cells.

As this sheath disintegrates, symptoms can occur.
Long-term vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to
a substantial myelin degeneration. How long is
long-term? Unfortunately, nobody knows. But we do
know that it is vital to ensure that your B12 level is
adequate before you hit your older years.
Though it doesnt happen in all cases, I have
seen patients suffering from nerve damage achieve
complete recovery with B12 therapy. However, in my
experience it is best to use B12 at the very first sign
of deficiency.

What Kind Works Best?

Vitamin B12 is available in both synthetic and

natural forms. The natural form is by far superior.
Unfortunately, most inexpensive nutritional
supplements contain synthetic vitamin B12.
Cyanocobalamin is the synthetic form of B12
contained in many nutritional supplements. It
consists of a cyano group attached to a cobalamin
molecule. The cyano part of the compound is what
makes it a synthetic.
For people who have difficulty detoxifying the
cyano group, cyanocobalamin can cause serious
adverse effects, even blindness. There is no reason to
use a synthetic form of vitamin B12 when natural,
bioidentical forms are readily and inexpensively
available.
Hydroxy- or methyl-cobalamin are both natural,
bioidentical forms of vitamin B12 that are easily
absorbed in the body without any serious side
effects. The worst adverse effect of natural B12
therapy is in patients that have an allergy to it.
Fortunately, vitamin B12 allergies are not common.
Vitamin B12 is available in oral or injectable
forms. Absorption of oral dosing is not as effective
because it requires multiple, complex steps, as well
as adequate stomach acid production.
My experience has shown that people younger
than 25 years old can effectively absorb vitamin
B12 as long as they produce enough stomach acid.
For those over 25 years, the absorption of oral B12
continues to decline a great deal over time.
When using oral vitamin B12, I recommend
sublingual forms, which are better absorbed than
February 2013

regular oral forms especially when a person has

inadequate stomach acid production.
On the other hand, injectable hydroxy- or
methyl-cobalamin are inexpensive (about the same
as oral doses), very safe, and much more effective.
When using injectable B12, I suggest 1 mg per
injection. I have not seen added benefits or harm
from a larger dose.
My usual prescription for injectable B12 is 1
mg once or twice per week. In times of stress, the
frequency of injections can be increased temporarily.
If you suffer from a serious illness such as
debilitating fatigue, PA, or neuropathy, more
frequent injections of vitamin B12 can provide
better results.
I often instruct patients to inject 1 mg daily for
two to four weeks, then lower the frequency to once
or twice per week.
Keep in mind that B12 is only found in animal
products or fortified foods. Therefore, vegetarians
and vegans may need to supplement. My experience
has shown that, over time, most vegans and many
vegetarians will become B12 deficient at some point.
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that aids in
energy production. It is impossible to achieve your
optimal health if your B12 level is too low. And
a deficiency can have serious consequences, from
neuropathy to myelin degeneration and even PA.
Deficiency should be recognized early to avoid
permanent problems. In most older patients,
injectable B12 is the preferred route because these
people produce less stomach acid.
It is important to read your labels; avoid
cyanocobalamin. Stick with hydroxy- or methylcobalamin.
A compounding pharmacist can
prepare injectable natural vitamin B12. But
most conventional doctors use synthetic
(cyanocobalamin) B12 in their offices. This should
be avoided.
While, vitamin B12 deficiency is common,
treatment is available and can improve many lives.
REFERENCES

1. WHO, http://www.sho.int/medicenter/factsheets/fs317/en/index.html.
2. Biochem. Pharm., Vol. 66, No. 8., Oct. 15, 2003.
3. J Nutr., 136 (6 Supp), 2006.
4. Epidem. Rev., Vol. 22, No. 2., 2000.

newsmaxhealth.com

Page 7

Ask Dr. B
Dear Readers,
I will try to answer as many questions as I can.
However, because of the volume of questions, I
cannot answer each letter personally. Please include
your full name, city, and state when submitting.
If you have a question for me, please email it to:
askdrdavid@newsmax.com.
Do you think that applying magnesium oil topically
will give me any benefit for osteoporosis pain? Right
now I am using magnesium sprays on my lower back
and it seems to be helping.
Connie T., Crossville, Tenn.
The human body contains a large amount of
magnesium more than 25 grams. Magnesium is
needed for bone formation, nerve impulses, protein
synthesis, and many other crucial body functions.
I have been checking red blood cell magnesium
levels in my patients for nearly 20 years. After
thousands of tests, I can assure you that the majority
of patients are deficient in magnesium.
The reason for this deficiency is that our soil has
been depleted of magnesium due to poor farming
techniques.
Magnesium deficiency predisposes the heart
to rhythm abnormalities, osteoporosis, diabetes,
hypertension, headaches, as well as muscle weakness
and cramps.
Unfortunately, many patients cannot take
magnesium due to its major side effect loose
stools and diarrhea.
Applying magnesium topically can bypass the
gastrointestinal side effects. I have found topical
magnesium very effective for raising red blood
cell magnesium levels and improving the clinical
conditions I mentioned above.

I am 75 years old and have painful arthritis in

my right knee. My doctor said I need a knee
replacement. Are there supplements I can take to
heal my arthritis without surgery?
Erlinda B., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Unfortunately, arthritis of the joints is very
common these days, particularly in the elderly.
One of the major causes is eating a poor diet full
of refined sugar, flour, and salt, and not drinking
enough water.
It is important to eat a diet with whole foods,
and avoid refined food products. Furthermore, it
is vitally important to drink adequate amounts of
water to prevent dehydration. Take your weight in
pounds, divide by two and drink that amount of
water in ounces per day.
One supplement that can help with arthritis
is called methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, which
supplies a readily available form of sulfur. The
cartilage in the joints needs adequate amounts of
sulfur to maintain proper function.
Other supplements that help with arthritis
include glucosamine and turmeric, as well as
bromelain and EGCG from green tea. Limbex is a
supplement that I have formulated to help combat
arthritis.
Keep in mind that if the arthritis is severe,
especially when there is bone on bone in the X-rays
with severely decreased range of motion, surgery
may be indicated. At this point, joint replacement
may be the best option.
I have written extensively about arthritis in my
book, Overcoming Arthritis.
To your good health,

David Brownstein, M.D.

Please note: All information presented in Dr. David Brownsteins Natural Way to Health is for informational purposes only. It is not specific medical
advice for any individual. All answers to reader questions are provided for informational purposes only. All information presented in Dr. David Brownsteins Natural Way to Health should not be construed as medical consultation or instruction. You should take no action solely on the basis of this publications contents. Readers are advised to consult a health professional about any issue regarding their health and well-being. While the information
found in Dr. David Brownsteins Natural Way to Health is believed to be sensible and accurate based on the authors best judgment, readers who fail
to seek counsel from appropriate health professionals assume risk of any potential ill effects. The opinions expressed in Dr. David Brownsteins Natural
Way to Health do not necessarily reflect those of Newsmax Media.
Page 8

drbrownstein.newsmax.com

February 2013