Active clinical trials for "Vitamin B 12 Deficiency"

Older adults are recommended to meet their daily vitamin B12 (B12) requirements by consuming foods with added B12 and/or taking B12 supplements (i.e. sources of free B12) because of an age-related decreased digestion and absorption capacity for food-bound B12. Currently, B12 is not added to foods in Canada, except for simulated dairy and meat products. Yoghurt with added B12 is a novel dairy product that could fill a gap that presently exists in the Canadian market and has the potential to provide Canadian older adults with an alternative dietary source of B12 that could help improve their B12 status. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of the daily consumption of one serving of yoghurt fortified with B12 versus unfortified yoghurt for 8 weeks on the B12 status of healthy older adults, assessed using serum total B12. The primary hypothesis of this study was that the daily consumption of B12-fortified yoghurt would increase serum total B12 concentration of older adults compared to the consumption of unfortified yoghurts.

A 3 months randomized, placebo-controlled study on the effect of toothpaste fortified with vitamin B12 on vitamin B12 status markers and related metabolic markers. The primary outcome variable is the difference in the change of methylmalonic acid after 3 months between the two study arms.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is more widespread in the population than has been assumed so far. Since a deficiency in this vitamin can lead to irreversible neurological damage, early diagnosis is essential. Vitamin B12 is synthesized exclusively in micro-organisms, and in humans it is an essential component in methyl group transfer and cell division. The vitamin is crucially involved in the proliferation, maturation, and regeneration of neural cells. In combination with folic acid, as an enzymatic essential cofactor in the metabolism of homocysteine, vitamin B12 maintains low homocysteine levels. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between religious origin and age, and Vitamin B12 and Folic acid plasma levels in non Jewish population in Western Galilee. The investigators assumption is that the results of the study will contribute to early detection and treatment of Vitamin B12 and Folic acid deficiencies in order to prevent long term complications.

Adequate levels of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is necessary for normal growth and development in infants. We have earlier investigated cobalamin status in healthy children and we observed metabolic evidence of impaired cobalamin status during the first 6 months, but not later in life. The purpose of this study is to determine if cobalamin supplementation may influence the metabolic profile related to cobalamin status in infants.

In a cross-over study the investigators evaluate the effects of natural (Panmol-B-Complex) (Pan [Greek] = all; moles [Latin] = molecules/particles - brand name) versus synthetic vitamin B complexes to identify the bioavailability of distinct vitamins as well as long-term effects. The primary hypothesis for this study: "Natural Vitamin B-complexes are as effective as synthetic Vitamin B-complexes or better." For this reason 30 subjects (18 to 65y; BMI >19 to <29) were recruited for this study. The study population was divided into 2 groups of each 15 subjects in a cross-over trial. Vitamin supplementation consisted of Thiamine (2.93 mg), Riboflavin (3.98 mg), Niacin (29.85 mg), Pantothenic acid (10.95 mg), Pyridoxine (3.38 mg), Biotin (0.108 mg), Folic acid (0.69 mg) and Cobalamin (8.85 µg) per day in both groups. Blood samples are taken at baseline - 1.5h after vitamin supplementation - 4h - 7h - 6 weeks - wash out phase I (2 weeks); start cross-over: baseline - 1.5h after vitamin supplementation - 4h - 7h - 6 weeks - washout phase II (6 weeks). In case of main target criteria Thiamin, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Folic acid and Cobalamin were measured in serum as well as total peroxides (µmol/L), peroxidase-activity (U/L), total antioxidant status (mmol/L) and polyphenols (mmol/L).

Vitamin B12 has several important functions in the body, two of which are production of red blood cells and the maintenance of a healthy nervous system. When vitamin B12 is deficient, abnormal red blood cells form. These cells are called megaloblasts. The end result is a decreased number of red blood cells; a condition called anemia. Some symptoms of anemia include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and pallor. Vitamin B12 is also important in maintaining a healthy nervous system. Nerves are surrounded by an insulating material that helps them conduct impulses. Patients with low B12 levels who receive this vitamin in injection form, state that there quality of life is better. Anemia in Hemodialysis patients is treated with Epogen, a synthetic material which helps your body make blood cells. The investigators believe that if you have a low vitamin B12 level in your blood and the investigators give you the vitamin during dialysis your requirement for epogen will be lower and you will be able to produce blood cells better. When evaluating for Vitamin B12 deficiency a special test is needed called methylmalonic acid level (MMA). This is a blood test that will be performed and when this level is high and your vitamin B12 level is in the low normal range the investigators can make a diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency.

STUDY DESIGN: Phase I Clinical Trial The researchers set out to assess the effectiveness of transdermal iontophoretic administration of Vitamin B12 (V.B12) under three different skin preparatory conditions. SETTING: James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Bronx, NY) BACKGROUND: Poor skin permeability precludes the use of transdermal route from being used in common clinical practice for rapid and precise administration of medications through intact skin that are expected to have a systemic effect. The researchers determined the relative effectiveness of an unconventional transdermal iontophoresis technique for the administration of Vitamin B12 (V.B12) under three different skin preparatory conditions. METHODS: During this study, Vitamin B12 (V.B12) was administered through the skin of volunteer human research subjects. Iontophoresis was used as transdermal medication delivery modality after pre-treatment of the skin in 3 different ways. The sequence of skin preparations was arranged in a random order for each subject. Method 1 was called "No Prep", serving as the control approach; method 2 was called "Oleic Acid" application to the skin for 40 minutes; and method 3 was hair "Epilation" (e.g. hair removal by plucking). Fifteen milligrams of aqueous solution of V.B12 was administered through intact, previously unused skin of an anterior thigh during all 3 tests. Chemoluminescence, on an automated laboratory reader Advia Centaur-XP, was used to determine the serum concentration of V.B12 prior to and after transdermal iontophoretic delivery. All 3 experiments were performed on the same day within an hour of each other. The subject's blood was drawn prior and 10 minutes after the 20-minute long sessions of transdermal V.B12 iontophoresis. We were able to calculate the increase in serum V.B12 concentration and based on estimated blood volume, the total quantity and percent dose delivered systemically.

Folic acid, a form of the vitamin folate, is added to grain products in Canada to help reduce birth defects. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate and is very stable (doesn't break down) when added to foods. There are emerging health concerns about chronic folic acid consumption. Recently another more natural form of folate, L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-MTHF) has become available. The investigators plan to conduct a randomized trial in women to determine if supplements containing L-MTHF consumed over three months raises blood folate levels as much as supplements containing folic acid. The investigators hypothesize that L-MTHF will increase red cell folate over 12 weeks to same extent as equimolar folic acid.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a 30 day beef intervention can improve peak cognitive performance in young, normally menstruating adult women. The control group will consume a daily portion of macronutrient equivalent vegetable source of protein.

This is an intervention study aiming to understand the bioavailability of vitamin B12 from nori for vegetarians.