Hey everyone! The weekend is almost here!
If you read my post OMG, Ramen Noodles Raised My Cholesterol!, then you likely know that I had some recent blood work done. I’ve never had “bad” results before, so I was shocked that not only was my cholesterol slightly elevated at 223, but my mean corpuscular hemoglobin was also slightly high.
Although I was told when the nurse called me that this wasn’t anything to be overly concerned about, and I should just try to increase my fiber, I was concerned. If I didn’t take care of it now, it could get worse, and even more difficult to control down the road. And I certainly don’t want to end up with metabolic syndrome!
As mentioned in my ramen noodle post, I discovered it was most likely the noodles that had raised my cholesterol. However, my mean corpuscular hemoglobin was also slightly elevated. The normal range is 25.6-32.2, and mine was 33.4. A MCH of 35 is indicative of macrocytic anemia, which is caused by insufficient B12 (Nicole, 2014).
A B12 deficiency can result in depression or feeling tired, among other issues. This can be treated by increasing B12 by eating more liver, or through supplementation. Yep, liver. Ewww… I do NOT have a desire to increase my liver intake. Sure, I know it’s an ingredient in many recipes, but just eating it, no thanks. Having been a Deputy Coroner, I can truly say that beef liver smells like people liver. So, no, just no. Supplementation it is!
I must say, insufficient B12 was not really surprising to me, as I’ve been prescribed B12 injections quite often in the past. The problem with taking B12 in pill form is that it often doesn’t survive digestive acids, so there’s no benefit. Thus, it’s prescribed as injections or sublingually.
In an effort to get healthier, I decided to alter my eating habits slightly. I used to do bodybuilding (natural, no drugs), so eating a strict diet is no problem. But this time, it would be more geared toward cardiovascular health, which I wasn’t quite as familiar with. So, I asked for some advice from a childhood friend, who is now a doctor with a strong belief in natural health.
Angela Kerchner, M.D. not only provided me with some great dietary advice and tips to avoid metabolic syndrome, but she also recommended a B12 supplement in the form of methylcobalamin (Kerchner, 2016). As B12 injections have risen so much in cost over the past couple years, I began searching for a sublingual alternative, as mentioned by Dr. Kerchner.
I was incredibly pleased to have the opportunity to try Misol B12 Micellized Vitamin B12 with Resveratrol from InMed Technologies. Misol B12 contains 1,000 micrograms of B12 as methylcobalamin per serving. The vitamin is in spray form, so it’s great for those who have problems swallowing tablets, or waiting for one to dissolve under the tongue. It’s also perfect for travel because there’s no water needed.
The spray is incredibly easy to use, and has a very light minty flavor. So, it’s not overly strong, and not unpleasant. There is no yeast, wheat, animal ingredients, artificial colors or flavors. You can be confident you’re getting a high quality product.
Not only is Misol B12 unique in that it’s a spray, but if you caught what I said earlier, it’s a micellized spray. This means that the particle size is incredibly small, which in turn increases absorption. So, with your mouth being one of the most absorbent parts of your body, up to 95% of the vitamin is absorbed.
In addition to the vitamin, Misol B12 also contains resveratrol, which some studies have shown can help prevent high blood pressure and heart disease. I have been a moderate red wine drinker (which contains high levels of resveratrol) for many, many (many) years. When I had a stroke several years ago, my cardiologist even suggested that the red wine may have played a role in the event not being as severe, as well as my quick recovery.
My biggest concern with B12 has always been whether or not my body will actually absorb the vitamin, or if it will be destroyed. With the micellized version, I’m much more confident that it will get to where it needs to go. With the addition of resveratrol, Misol B12 is a winning product, especially for the reasonable price of just $19.95! Check it out at Amazon.com!
Sources:
Kerchner, A. (2016). Personal communication. September 22, 2016. Angela Kerchner, M.D.
Nicole, D. (2014). What does a high MCH level mean in blood tests? Bright Hub. Retrieved October 26, 2016, from www.brighthub.com.
*Sponsored review
