Vitamin B12 May Help with Tinnitus

I’ve read a number of external postings, webpages, stating that vitamin B12 deficiencies can contribute to or cause tinnitus, and that some have gained relief from tinnitus by a course of vitamin B12 supplementation.

Nothing is fast about this. Apparently, it can take up to 6 months before relief is gained, if at all.

It is noted that Meniere’s tends to occur in most people later in life, in middle age or later. It is known that vitamin B12 requirements increase with age, along with decreasing absorption from the diet.

Now I doubt that vitamin B12 deficiency is a direct (even indirect) cause of Meniere’s. But given the vitamin’s many health benefits for those in middle age and older, it’s worth trying for tinnitus.

B12, if directly ingested, apparently gets mostly digested in the stomach before absorption and is not very effective. It is best administered sub-lingually, in drops or tablets under the tongue.

--John of Ohio

 

No, it is virtually impossible to take "too much" vitamin B12. It's water soluble and excess is excreted in urine. Search everywhere on the internet; you will find no cautions about taking too much, only statements that B12 is never toxic at any dosage.

--John of Ohio

 

Yes, that will work, but for those in the UK, this looks to be a better deal:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01AG3V4Q4?psc=1

--John of Ohio

 

http://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-quickdots-methylcobalamin-vitamin-b12-cherry-1000-mcg-plus-b6-folic-acid-and-biotin-120-sublingual-tablets#BVRRWidgetID

--John of Ohio

 

Didn't make myself clear. I have no MM symptoms whatsoever.

But I'm 68, and want the brain-maintaining and other benefits of vitamin B12. After the age of 50, the body simply is unable to absorb sufficient B12. It's cheap, without known side-effects, and counters a lot of age-related conditions. I've added B12 to the many vitamins, minerals, and supplements I take each day.

--John of Ohio

 

Probably. But what constitutes deficiency would be hard to define. Simply, the older one becomes the greater the B12 need. As one ages, the gastrointestinal tract becomes increasingly less able to absorb the vitamin.

And there is a genetic component. Some lack the molecules that grab onto B12 and help transport it into the blood stream. Ample supplementation can over come this problem.

But, several problems. The main one is that apparently it can take months for the body to load up on B12, unless you get a physician to inject the vitamin. Back in the 1950s, that was a quite common clinical practice for general practitioners. Med schools no longer endorse the practice; few modern docs are willing to do this.

The second problem is that a B12 deficiency is not at all likely to be the main or primary cause of Meniere's, or, perhaps, even of tinnitus. But, clearly, in a number of cases, supplementation can really help --- if it continues long enough (up to six months to see [well, hear] results).

But, again, B12 is inexpensive, has a multitude of good health benefits (especially after the 50s or so), and there is no over doses, does not cause side effects at any possible dosings.

--John of Ohio