Brain Injury and B12 Deficiency


Posted on July 22, 2022

A single traumatic brain injury, or constant head jarring, multiple concussions can create breaks in the blood-brain barrier. Patients' growth factors and enteric and neuroendocrine systems can become severely out of balance. The patients' compromised health contributes to the development of leaky gut and chronic immune deficiencies, which leave them at higher risk for Alzheimer's. 

Preventing or delaying cognitive decline, even if you have not had a head injury, by getting to know critical health facts in your 40s and 50s can save you a lot of trouble ahead.

Micronutrient testing essential for brain injury recovery and long-term health could reveal a deficiency in vitamin B12 or other significant wellness markers. 

Vitamin B12 deficiency is common both in adults and the elderly. Yet, B12 levels and many other micronutrients could plummet after a concussion or traumatic brain injury, deteriorating overall cognitive and immune health if not attended to.

Conventional blood tests in laboratories measure the current serum level of vitamin B12 and current micronutrient intake from foods or supplements. Although that information is useful, traditional test results do not show the absorption of micronutrients within the white blood cells circulating through our bodies.

Patients should consider testing a significant component of the yearly post-injury protocol if they understand how micronutrients affect our long-term health after a TBI. 

For example, one patient's traditional lab test for vitamin B12 showed an unusually elevated level. Troubled about the high number, the patient sought a second opinion from a functional health wellness centre. 

She learned about micronutrient testing offered by SpectraCell Laboratories. The tests revealed information on metabolites, antioxidants, carbohydrate metabolism, essential vitamins and minerals, and amino acids associated with improving immune health.

 Her doctor explained how blood testing differed nowadays and how her micronutrient tests revealed a vitamin B12 deficiency. Her overall health had continued to worsen because the patient had suffered a mild traumatic brain injury a few years back. 

Her micronutrient deficiencies prompted an added reference for genetic testing. The tests' results provided valuable information for her doctor to prescribe the correct form of B12 and address other genetic polymorphisms and immune factors.  

The study of gene activation and DNA after brain injury is still under investigation. However,  patients who take the initiative right after a head injury can potentially prevent the progression of various brain injury-related health conditions by looking into a functional view of their overall health. 

Vitamin B12 is essential for our cognitive health, immunity, and entire nervous system. Some patients may have the incapability to absorb Vitamin B12 from food sources. Other patients may have a genetic tendency concerning malabsorption or poor methylation. Many of us may probably have a deficiency for years and never know.

A traumatic brain injury due to any cause could launch an immune attack on our entire system. Addressing and finding any essential micronutrient deficits for traumatic brain injury patients, whether early on or at any stage of recovery, could restore long-term health. 

Physicians, practitioners, and wellness centers that understand the importance of micronutrient testing are slowly expanding. Traumatic brain injury patients must take a proactive approach by asking their doctor for information or contacting laboratories that offer micronutrient testing to find a local provider.