This Book Saved My Son ...

"Could It Be B12?" saved my son from a future of mental retardation and a sub-par life. We caught Jack's B12 deficiency in its early stages, thanks to this book. Unfortunately, because many of the horrific side effects of a B-12 deficiency hadn't yet completely manifested, we got dismissed by many doctors. They were looking for telltale signs of prolonged B12 deficiency (enlarged mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and anaemia) though these are only present when B12 has wreaked permanant havoc on the body; I was only too glad that we discovered Jack's deficiency BEFORE we reached this stage.

The doctors are sadly very uninterested in vitamins (they aren't "pushed" by huge pharmaceutical companies with drug reps who take our doctors golfing on a weekly basis) and feel they are too simplistic, in many ways, to cause the significant damage that they do, when a person is deficient. Interesting though that medical history is full of diseases that are solely caused by vitamin deficiency: beri-beri, pellegra, kashiworka (sp?), scurvy, etc. Vitamin deficiencies most definitely can cause disease, and certainly death.

Without a doubt, B12 is a vitamin that is essential to life and wellbeing; it serves the Central Nervous System (of which our brain is a part) and the circulatory system (red blood cells); B12 is necessary for BRAIN AND BLOOD. B12 deficiency can cause such terrible symptoms as outlined in this book (the list is literally too long to include). Our son, specifically, was developing a trend toward microcephaly - his head circumference was dropping growth curves. HIS BRAIN WAS NOT GROWING. His B-12 level was only mildly low, and his MMA was definitely elevated, but not nearly the highest the "specialists" had seen - they were happy to nod dismissively at us and push us out the door. I was infuriated, of course. Jack was not developing mentally as he should and was beginning to miss milestones. But, at 7-9 months of age, this is all very subjective. We changed his diet to a B-12 rich one (with meat, eggs, cheese, and milk) and we got a series of hydroxycobalamin injections - his head jumped up on the growth chart, and he started waving, pointing, holding the phone to his ear, etc.

But, then we went to a miniscule "maintenance" dose of B12 and his head started falling growth curves again, his development again slowed (as noted by his physical therapist). I went to specialist after specialist, telling them he needed more B12, and they are all so DISGUSTINGLY unfamiliar with B12 deficiency that they were scratching their heads, and said we must have mismeasured his head time and again. This scares me to the bone. I am SURE there are other babies out there with small heads, with brains that should grown, but aren't able to do because they are deficient in B12, who will live sad lives as mentally challenged people, FOR NO REASON, and with a simple cure of added B12 by oral supplement (in high doses), or injections, and diet changes to B12 rich foods.

As B12 deficiency progresses, it leads to definite microcephaly, and if it goes on too long, when and if B12 treatment is finally administered, the brain will definitely grow (proving B12's role in brain growth), but the brain damage cannot be corrected - it is permanent, and was never meant to be, not genetically written in stone, but just because B12 was deficient - a completely fixable condition - isn't that TRAGIC?

I am ever hopeful that we caught Jack's deficieny in time. As I watched his head circumference percentiles dropping again, I went back to the doctors. I could get no doctor to up Jack's tiny dose of B12, though they all agreed you cannot overdose on B12 and too much is not harmful in any way; they were just ignorant, and decided since they didn't know about B12 it must not be a problem; we've all heard of the God-complex.

Fortunately, B12 is available at health food stores, and I began adding it to his bottles. His head steadily grew from the 8th percentile to now between the 23 and 25th where it has remained for the last 5-6 months. We were on a downward trend (I graphed his head circumference percentiles) leading to a mentally retarded child with permanent brain damage. Without this book, I would not have been able to help my son. He will remain on B12 supplementation for the rest of his life, and will always eat B12 rich foods in my house.

I thank God for Sally and her book; I feel that it was placed in our hands for a reason, part of which was to help our son, part of which was to help others learn about B12 deficiency and its crucial role in health and well being and DEVELOPMENT! I actively try to educate parents, because there is no reason for some of the brain damage that is occuring in babies and children out there - it shouldn't be happening, and it is!

There isn't a person out there who should think they don't need this book. You CANNOT and SHOULD NOT think your doctor will know enough about this to keep on top of it. Doctors are just people, and they make mistakes each day.

Sally Pacholok and her husband, Jeffrey Stuart, have done us all a remarkable kindness in authoring this book, and continuing their crusade to educate doctors and improve medical practice on the front of B12. I would urge you not to wait for them to catch up, though, but to read this book and take charge of your own health. You, too, might feel compelled to spread the news.

Thank-you for listening to our story, and best wishes,
Kelly
(Jack's mom)

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Educate Yourself About B12 Deficiency. This Book Says It All!

It seems the medical community has forgotten about the importance of B12 over the years. This book not only brings back some of the basics concerning B12 but you will also learn things you never knew before about the signs of B12 deficiency and the devastating effect it can have on your health if not treated in a timely manner. The authors of this book have done extensive research and have accurately reported the facts. If I had read this book sooner, I would have been informed and my husband would not be suffering from the neurological brain damage he has now due to his malabsorption of B12. The knowledge you will gain from this book could save a life. B12 deficiency is not uncommon but it is easy to diagnose and inexpensive to treat. Without treatment, the results of B12 deficiency can be devastating. Bravo to Sally Pacholok, R.N. and Dr. Jeffrey Stuart for staying committed to spreading the word about a health care issue that could save lives. I believe after you read this book you will want to spread the word too!!!

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Best book out there!

This book really helped educate me about all things B12. I purchased it just before I had a test for it, and I was pretty sure I was deficient. The tests came back , and unsurprisingly, I was. I've recommended it to many people.

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