The vitamin B12-grain connection

Nutrient deficiencies from wheat/grain consumption are common, especially deficiencies of positively-charged minerals magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc, due to the presence of phytates that block their absorption. But deficiency of vitamin B12 can also occur for other reasons unrelated to grain phytates and, if not corrected, can lead to symptoms such as fatigue and mental fogginess, as well as some real health problems. Gastrointestinal absorption of vitamin B12 can be tenuous because it requires the participation of two factors/sites: so-called intrinsic factor produced by the parietal cells of the stomach to bind B12 from food or supplements and a healthy distal ileum (just before the colon) for absorption. Disruption of the health at either site will therefore impair vitamin B12 absorption and lead, over time, to deficiency. Wheat and grains can disrupt health at both sites. Wheat germ agglutinin from wheat, rye, barley, and rice can block intrinsic factor, while gliadin from wheat and proteins from related grains (secalin in rye, hordein in barley) provokes formation of antibodies against both intrinsic factor and stomach parietal cells, leading to autoimmune destruction. People with Crohn’s disease are especially vulnerable to vitamin B12 deficiency, since the distal ileum is inflamed in this condition and may require months to years to recover the ability to absorb B12. Vitamin B12 deficiency is suggested by symptoms such as impaired mental performance/clarity, d...
Source: Wheat Belly Blog - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Wheat Belly Lifestyle anemia cyanocobalamin fatigue gluten grains methylcobalamin nutrient deficiency vitamin b12 Source Type: blogs