Vitamin B12 improves eye movementsThe Effectiveness of Steroid Versus Vitamin Therapy in the Improvement of Extraocular Movements in Patients With Diabetic Cranial Nerve Palsy: A Comparative Study.
Direct relevance to treatment options.
We explored the effectiveness of vitamin B12 in treating diabetic ocular nerve palsy, a complication that can occur in people with diabetes. In a recent study, fifty individuals with this condition were divided into two groups. One group received steroid treatments while the other was treated with vitamin B12 injections.
After assessing ocular movements at three points during treatment, we observed a notable improvement in those receiving vitamin B12 compared to those receiving steroids. Specifically, the vitamin B12 group showed an enhancement of eye movements by an average of 1.04, while the steroid group had a lesser improvement of 0.75. This difference was statistically significant, suggesting that vitamin B12 may be more effective in aiding recovery of eye movement in these patients.
Importantly, treating diabetic neuropathy with vitamin supplementation not only addresses possible nutritional deficiencies but could also improve overall quality of life for patients. This study highlights the potential benefits of vitamin B12 therapy, making it an appealing option for individuals dealing with the effects of diabetic-related nerve issues.
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Tangbi and B12 show promiseTangBi Formula for Painful Diabetic Distal Symmetric Polyneuropathy: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled and Parallel-Group Trial.
Evaluation of combined treatment outcomes
We conducted a thorough examination of a clinical trial that looked at how vitamin B12, alongside an herbal treatment called the Tangbi Formula, impacts patients with diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN). This multicenter trial was designed to compare a group receiving both treatments to another group that received a placebo combined with vitamin B12. This setup helped us assess the actual effectiveness of the herbal combination on the symptoms of this condition.
After 24 weeks of treatment, we observed a significant decrease in the Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy Score (MDNS) among those taking the Tangbi Formula, pointing to improvements in their symptoms. In addition, changes in the visual-analogue scale (VAS) and the Toronto clinical scoring system (TCSS) also revealed positive results when comparing the two groups. However, it’s important to note that nerve conduction velocities did not show significant changes in either group, suggesting that the effects of vitamin B12 alone may be difficult to ascertain within this study’s context.
Overall, this research shines a light on how combining herbal medicines with conventional treatment can be beneficial for patients suffering from DSPN, though it does limit our ability to fully evaluate the specific effects of vitamin B12 in isolation.
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Vitamin B12's role in diabetesFrequency of comorbid diseases with high serum Vitamin B12 levels in patients attending King Salman Medical City (KSAMC), at Madinah.
Relevant but non-isolated effects
We explored the relationship between high serum vitamin B12 levels and diabetes, particularly focusing on how vitamin B12 supplementation might affect this condition. In our retrospective study, we gathered data from 3,511 patients over one year who were found to have elevated B12 levels above the normal limit of 771 pg/mL.
A significant finding from our analysis was that 53.2% of patients with high B12 levels were also diagnosed with diabetes and had been using vitamin B12 as part of their treatment regimen. This suggests that there may be a potential link between vitamin B12 supplementation and diabetes management.
Furthermore, we observed a positive correlation between elevated B12 levels and specific laboratory results, indicating that patients’ age and other liver-related parameters could play a role in these outcomes. However, we did not find compelling evidence that vitamin B12 directly improves diabetes symptoms or controls blood sugar levels independently.
Overall, while high serum vitamin B12 is often associated with diabetes in those using it as a supplementary treatment, more detailed investigations are needed to fully understand the implications for diabetes management. Most notably, we found that many comorbid conditions were benign, primarily among Saudi patients aged 50-70.
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We conducted a thorough examination on the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency among patients with type 2 diabetes who have been on metformin therapy. Our study involved 260 participants who had been using this medication for over a year. We took blood samples to measure their vitamin B12 levels and assessed various factors that might influence these levels.
Interestingly, we found that about 36.54% of patients were vitamin B12 deficient. The deficiency seemed more common in women, particularly those aged between 41 to 50 years, and in individuals with a longer history of diabetes. However, we did not find a clear connection between the dosage of metformin or the duration of treatment and vitamin B12 levels.
Therefore, while it is evident that vitamin B12 deficiency is a significant concern for more than a third of individuals taking metformin, our findings suggest that increasing the metformin dosage or extending the treatment duration does not necessarily lead to greater deficiency risks. This highlights the importance of routinely checking vitamin B12 levels in diabetic patients on metformin to prevent potential complications, ensuring they maintain a better quality of life.
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