Popular Diabetic Drug Metformin Shown To Cause Vitamin B12 Deficiency And Rise In Homocysteine 02/10/12

Recent evidence has shown that the drug metformin, the most popular diabetic drug, depletes the body of vitamin B12. In some instance patients have developed serious Vitamin B12 deficiencies which manifest as Pernicious Anemia. Before I expand on that I want you to know that I am a big fan of Metformin. It is very safe (other than B12 deficiency risk) and improves blood sugar control, reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels and can kill cancer stem cells (which are usually at the root of most cancers). And it does all of this without damaging the liver, kidneys or other organs.

However, we have recently learned that one of the drawbacks of taking metformin is depletion of Vitamin B12. You can easily safe guard against this by taking a high potency multiple vitamin and mineral that contains a B-50 complex (e.g. Adeeva Multiple Vitamin www.adeeva.com) if you or someone you know is taking Metformin. Serious and dangerously low levels of B12 have been found in more than 40% of patients taking Metformin, according to a recent study (see reference below). Because B12 is required for normal red blood cell formation and nerve function, a serious B12 depletion results in anemia and/or nerve damage.

The nerve damage usually develops first and can manifest in any of the following ways:
Pain, tingling or numbness in the hands and/or feet
Loss of sensation is often likened to the wearing of thin gloves or socks
Pain associated with peripheral neuropathy is described by patients as a burning sensation in both hands or feet
Lowered sensitivity to temperature
Muscle cramps
Loss of balance and coordination

Low levels of Vitamin B12 also cause a rise in blood homocysteine. High blood homocysteine (above 6.3 micromoles per liter) is known to increase risk of heart attacks by damaging the inner lining of the artery wall and encouraging the formation of abnormal platelet clots around arterial plaque.
Heart attack risk is already increased in diabetics, so elevated homocysteine just makes the risk more severe. The bottom line seems to be that in patients taking Metformin (and there are many of you out there) make sure you are supplementing with a multiple vitamin that provides a B-50 complex to compensate for the depletion of Vitamin B12 induced by this drug. It’s an important way to support your red blood cell production, prevent anemia, prevent nerve damage (also very common in diabetics), and help reduce your risk of heart attack

Here is one reference of great importance: http://www.b12patch.com/blog/diabetes-2/new-study-diabetes-drug-metformin-causes-vitamin-b12-deficiency/

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