• About
  • Work With Me
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • FAQ
Login
8 Supplements for Vitality
Harmony & Hope: FREE Webinar

Vitamin B12 & Methylmalonic Acid

Why is Methylmalonic Acid More Important Than Ever?

The sole purpose of Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) is for metabolism and energy production by breaking down proteins.

 

Much like homocysteine, measuring MMA can help to detect early vitamin B12 deficiency, but it is a more specific biomarker because it is only affected by vitamin B12 concentrations and not folate as well. For this reason, it is considered to be the confirmatory test of choice for vitamin B12 deficiency.

What's Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep our bodies' blood and nerve cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material of our cells.

 

So it helps with bone health, red blood cell formation, energy levels, cognitive health, heart health, and our moods.

 

It is also a critical component in methylation. So, in the body, it helps to detoxify and break down normal hormones and neurotransmitters and any other gunk that we come in contact with !

Typical Supplementation 

Vegetarians usually need significant supplementation, but they're not the only ones. There are also known genetic variations that keep people from converting B12 into its active form to be used directly and effectively in the body. So this is why supplementation of an active form can be warranted, it can also be that our levels just don't meet the demand of our life.

Vitamin B In Food!

  • Animal livers and Kidneys
  • Clams
  • Sardines
  • Beef
  • Tuna
  • Trout
  • Salamon
  • Fortified nondairy milk 
  • Eggs

Vitamin B Deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency is commonly known as pernicious anemia (PA). 

 

Generally, PA first presents among older populations. It tends to be first detected between the ages of 40 and 80.

 

Vitamin B12 deficiency may occur with a parasitic infection by tapeworms. Tapeworms, which can be many meters long, can live in the gut. They can take up dietary vitamin B12, thus limiting its availability to the human host. Tapeworms can arise from the consumption of raw fish.

In Conclusion

Methylmalonic Acid is a substance that's made in small amounts during metabolism (the process of how our bodies change food into energy) and vitamin B12 plays an important role in metabolism; and if your body doesn't have enough vitamin B12; it will make extra amounts of MMA or methylmalonic acid. High levels of methylmalonic acid can be a sign of a vitamin B 12 deficiency based on your unique circumstances. So again, it could certainly be that your vitamin B12 serum levels are in the normal reference range, but if your MMA levels are too high, then that could mean that your body doesn't have enough B12 for your specific circumstances.

Related Posts

Allergies: Why You Have Them, and What You Can Do

The Functional Medicine Approach: identifying and addressing the underlying causes of the condition rather than simply treating the symptoms. Click below to read more!

Continue Reading

Thyroid Function and Why it Matters

Located just below your Adam's Apple, in the middle of the lower neck, is a butterfly-shaped gland responsible for the regulation of balance in your body (also called Homeostasis). It might be tiny, but it is POWERFUL ! Click below to find out more!

Continue Reading

Dr. Deborah Bowers

822 B E Liberty St

York, SC 29745

(803)628-7934

Company

HomeAboutWork With MeBlogContactFAQ

Resources

Member LoginBowers Favorite RecipesFavorite Products

Legal

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Disclaimers Accessibility Statement Cookie Policy

© 2025 Dr. Deborah Bowers. All Rights Reserved.

Site Conceived By HealthProWebsite.com

Join Our Email List for Updates on Our Free Webinar:

 

 

At the moment, our webinars are only available in person, but we may offer them via Zoom in the future. Stay up to date by providing your email below, and you'll be the first to know when we add virtual options. The webinar will be hosted by:

 

Dr. Deborah Bowers, PharmD, RPh, AFMC

 

drdeborah@drdeborahbowers.com

 

*Please note all emails will come from Kartra, make sure they do not get put into spam* 

I confirm that I am at least 16 years of age or older

I have read and accept any EULA, Terms and Conditions, Acceptable Use Policy, and/or Data Processing Addendum which has been provided to me in connection with the software, products and/or services.

I have been fully informed and consent to the collection and use of my personal data for any purpose in connection with the software, products and/or services.

I understand that certain data, including personal data, must be collected or processed in order for you to provide any products or services I have requested or contracted for. I understand that in some cases it may be required to use cookies or similar tracking to provide those products or services..

I understand that I have the right to request access annually to any personal data you have obtained or collected regarding me. You have agreed to provide me with a record of my personal data in a readable format.

I also understand that I can revoke my consent and that I have the right to be forgotten. If I revoke my consent you will stop collecting or processing my personal data. I understand that if I revoke my consent, you may be unable to provide contracted products or services to me, and I can not hold you responsible for that.

Likewise, if I properly request to be forgotten, you will delete the data you have for me, or make it inaccessible. I also understand that if there is a dispute regarding my personal data, I can contact someone who is responsible for handling data-related concerns. If we are unable to resolve any issue, you will provide an independent service to arbitrate a resolution. If I have any questions regarding my rights or privacy, I can contact the email address provided.

We respect your privacy. Your data will not be shared or sold.

Powered by KARTRA

We use essential cookies for site functionality. If you reject optional cookies, only cookies necessary to provide you the services will be used. By clicking "Accept All", you agree to our:
Cookie policy Kartra cookies
Privacy Policy
Powered by KARTRA