While the standard daily B12 need is ~2.4 mcg, MS patients often need higher doses (e.g., 250-1000 mcg weekly or more, sometimes 1mg monthly) because deficiency is common and B12 is crucial for myelin, but always consult your doctor for personalized amounts (like 1000 mcg daily, even if high, is generally safe) to monitor blood levels and avoid B6 excess.
Fortunately, B12 is completely non-toxic, so it can do no harm. People with MS on vegan diets like the one OMS recommends should consider taking 250 to 1,000 micrograms of B12 per week, although many find that regular testing does not reveal any deficiency (particularly for those who consume seafood frequently).
A common dose of OTC vitamin B12 is 1,000 mcg each day. The risk of vitamin B12 side effects is low — even if you take too much.
Dosage. Take 1000-5000mcg daily of the active forms of B12 (methyl-cobalamin and adenysl-cobalamin) for 1 month and then re-assess symptoms. Vitamin B9 (folate) and vitamin B6 work together with B12, supplementing these at the same time often gives better results.
Vitamin B12 is vital for fixing and keeping the myelin sheath healthy. It supports the nervous system and helps recover from conditions that damage the myelin sheath.
1 to 3 Months: Neurological symptoms, such as tingling or memory issues, often start to improve. For severe cases, this process may take longer. 3 to 6 Months or More: By this stage, most individuals experience significant recovery. However, some nerve damage from long-term deficiency may be permanent.
Early findings from a clinical trial in Cambridge suggest a combination of metformin, a diabetes drug, and clemastine, an antihistamine, can help repair myelin – the protective coating around nerves, which gets damaged in multiple sclerosis (MS) causing symptoms like fatigue, pain, spasms and problems with walking.
Vitamin B12 has been reported to promote axon growth of neuronal cells after peripheral nerve injury, which is currently used for the treatment of peripheral nerve damage in the clinical trial.
The recommended daily amount for vitamin B12 intake is 2.4 mcg for adults. Pregnant and lactating women need higher amounts [1]. There is no upper intake limit for vitamin B12 because there is no known toxicity [2]. Most vitamin B12 supplementation provides a range of strengths between 500 to 5000 mcg [2].
Symptoms such as pins and needles, disturbed vision, a sore and red tongue, mouth ulcers, muscle weakness and problems with balancing and walking, psychological problems such as depression and confusion, problems with memory, understanding and judgement could also be related to B12 deficiency.
5 Symptoms That Indicate High Vitamin B12 Levels
People may experience frequent episodes of dizziness with no apparent cause. Headaches may be persistent and more intense than common tension headaches.
Neurological changes
Morning is the best time to take vitamin B12, ideally on an empty stomach. Here's why: B12 helps convert food into cellular energy (via methylation and ATP production), so taking it earlier supports your body's natural circadian rhythm. Taking it late in the day may increase alertness or interfere with sleep.
The recommended daily amount (RDA) varies, depending on age and other factors, but while the recommended dose for an adult is 2.4 mcg (micrograms), B12 vitamin pills are also sold in doses of 5 to 25 mcg, and even 500 mcg to 1,000 mcg or more; while the latter is usually considered safe, the body will absorb only a ...
There's some evidence that lower levels of vitamin D are associated with higher relapse rates in MS. One study found that people with higher levels of vitamin D (above 50 nmol/l) were less likely to have relapses or new MRI lesions after five years.
Magnesium. This important mineral may be able to help improve sleep and muscle spasms, which are common in people with MS, says Dr. Loma-Miller, although she cautions that while “in the migraine world, it's been shown to help with pain, it hasn't been studied much for MS.” Magnesium comes in different forms; Dr.
While research shows that high vitamin B12 levels don't directly damage healthy kidneys, elevated B12 often serves as an indicator of underlying kidney dysfunction.
In fact, some studies have even suggested the opposite. For instance, one study noted that individuals who regularly took vitamin B12 supplements gained between 2.5 to 17 fewer pounds (1.2 to 7.7 kg) over a decade than those who didn't supplement.
Vitamins B9 and B12 are both thought to treat symptoms of anxiety. Folic acid has many uses in the body, and a vitamin B9 deficiency has been linked to higher levels of anxiety and depression. When taken in conjunction with B12, these B super-vitamins help metabolize serotonin, which is important for mood regulation.
While Vitamin B12 is generally safe, potential disadvantages (side effects) can occur, especially with high doses or injections, including headaches, nausea, diarrhea, weakness, skin issues (rash, itching), and rarely, more serious heart or allergic reactions (like anaphylaxis), though toxicity from oral intake is rare as excess is usually excreted. Conversely, a deficiency can cause serious problems like irreversible nerve damage, memory loss, fatigue, infertility, and increased risk of certain cancers, making proper intake crucial.
Turmeric Bioactive Compounds Alleviate Spinal Nerve Ligation-Induced Neuropathic Pain by Suppressing Glial Activation and Improving Mitochondrial Function in Spinal Cord and Amygdala.
The first signs of nerve damage often involve sensory changes like numbness, tingling, or "pins and needles," typically in your hands and feet, along with sharp pain (burning, electric shock-like) and increased sensitivity to touch, often accompanied by muscle weakness or coordination issues, like dropping things. These symptoms usually appear gradually, feeling like a glove or sock is on, and can worsen at night, signaling a need for early medical evaluation to prevent further issues.
T Cells and B Cells in MS
Once there, T cells release chemicals that cause inflammation. This results in damage to myelin, nerve fibers and the cells that make myelin. T cells also help activate B cells and call on other immune system cells to participate in the immune attack.
For those with MS, avoiding too much exercise is a big concern. Too much activity can cause fatigue and worsen symptoms. It's important to listen to your body and know when you've done too much. Pacing activities and taking breaks helps manage energy.
Since 2024 it's possible to have ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) by injection. Every six months a nurse uses a special syringe pump to inject you under the skin in your belly. This happens in a hospital or clinic. It takes 10 minutes in, so cuts time in hospital by 90%.