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Cobalt & Nickel: Both elements share right / left-sided cell receptors and are considered essential
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to human health. While a cobalt + Vit B12 relationship is well documented, a similar, less documented
affiliation applies to nickel + Vit C. Also less documented is the control nickel and cobalt exert over the
muscular walls of the body's arteries. Cobalt specifically affects the right coronary artery, resulting in
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vasodilation with low levels, and vasoconstriction with high levels, while nickel exerts the same effect
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on the left coronary artery.
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The association of Nickel (Ni) to Vitamin C is similar to the one of Cobalt (Co) to Vitamin B12 as far as
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excess and deficiency symptoms and their interaction with other nutrients is concerned. For instance,
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iron deficiency anemia is often found in the presence of low nickel, and it is a well-known fact that Vit C
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assists in iron absorption. Both - Vitamin C and nickel - can also be effective with cirrhosis of the liver,
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hypoadrenalism, or to improve insulin production. Likewise, pernicious anemia can result from cobalt
deficiency, for which Vitamin B12 is a well-known treatment, being organically complexed with cobalt.
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Nickel is trace mineral that may be thought of in connection to skin allergies or dermatitis from costume
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jewelry, eyeglass frames or dental material, however of the approximately 10 mg in the body, significant
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concentrations of nickel are found in RNA and DNA where it interacts with these nucleic acids. Most of
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plasma nickel is a constituent of the circulating proteins nickeloplasmin and albumin, and it is also
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thought to be a factor in hormone, lipid and cell membrane metabolism. Insulin response is increased
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after ingesting nickel, which may be related to its activation of enzymes associated with the breakdown
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or utilization of glucose.
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Nickel Toxicity is usually not a problem unless several grams are ingested from non-dietary sources,
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or unless there is a natural tendency to retain too much nickel, which could lead to asthma, angina or
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other cardiac symptoms as a result of nickel interfering with Vitamin E activity. However, nickel is quite
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toxic in its gaseous form of nickel carbonyl, and it has the potential to cause cancer of the sinuses,
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throat and lungs when insoluble nickel compounds are inhaled for long periods of time, which does not
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apply to soluble nickel compounds such as chloride, nitrate, or sulfate. Once someone is sensitized to
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nickel from an allergic reaction to nickel-containing materials, subsequent contact with it will continue to
produce these effects.
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Skin reactions such as itching, burning, redness or other rashes are the most common symptoms with
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nickel sensitivity, however asthma attacks are another, but less frequent possibility in some people.
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Intestinal absorption of nickel is less than 10%, with the kidneys controlling the retention or elimination
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of nickel, however most of it is eliminated in feces, some in urine, and a small amount through sweat.
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Nickel and Vitamin C share common antagonists, as do cobalt and Vitamin B12, whereby Vitamin E
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inhibits the effects of Vitamin C + nickel, while Vitamin B15 (calcium pangamate, or pangamic acid)
inhibits the effects of Vitamin B12 + cobalt. This inhibiting effect of Vitamin E is not related to the anti-
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oxidative properties of Vitamin C - or vice versa - (both are antioxidants, so in that respect they are
synergistic), but to one another ratio-wise, and to other chemical members:
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For instance, Vitamin C increases iron uptake, which Vitamin E inhibits. Vitamin C lowers manganese
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and zinc, while Vitamin E helps increase manganese and zinc absorption. Consequently, a very high
intake of one will require an equally high intake of the other to maintain the same ratio. On the other
hand, a pre-existing abnormal Vitamin C / E ratio requires greater supplementation of one (compared
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to the other), to help normalize it.
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An increasing number of studies have come to the conclusion that excessive intake of Vitamin E has
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the potential to increase the risk for heart disease rather than having a preventive effect, which is not
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only a concern for overdosing on Vitamin E, but other Vitamins and minerals as well. While an optimal
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intake of any nutrient will provide optimal benefits, going beyond this ideal amount may not only reduce
those benefits again, but potentially lead to adverse consequences. Most patients I have tested over
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the years had - with some exceptions - much greater requirements for Vitamin C than for Vitamin E,
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so an excessive intake of Vitamin E could in those individuals easily worsen any low Vitamin C-related
medical problems, which may include cardiovascular disease.
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Some theories on a negative "High Vitamin E / Heart Disease" relationship include the possibility that
megadoses of antioxidants can turn into pro-oxidants. There is also evidence that mixed carotenoids
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(lutein, lycopene alpha / beta carotene, zeaxanthin, crytoxanthin) are superior to using beta-carotene
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alone, or complexed Vitamin C (with rutin and hesperidin) is superior to supplementing plain ascorbic
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acid alone.
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Similarly, mixed or complexed Vitamin E in the form of alpha, beta, gamma, delta tocopherols, and
alpha, beta, gamma, delta tocotrienols as a synergistic formulation may equally reduce the risk of
creating fractional Vitamin E deficiencies as a result of supplementing excessive amounts of one type
(generally dl-alpha or d-alpha) alone, although some laboratory experiments indicated that gamma-
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tocopherol quinone caused cell death, in contrast to alpha-tocopherol quinone, which did not kill cells.
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One can easily see negative, rather than positive health benefits arising out of randomly supplementing
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high doses of single, instead of complexed vitamins (particularly in the absence of any deficiencies).
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For practical purposes however, the best way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease is to raise
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one's Vitamin C intake proportionately to the amounts of Vitamin E consumed, which - by maintaining
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a normal Vitamin C / E ratio - will generally prevent any potential negative consequences.
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At the same time, when various "scientific" studies come to totally opposite conclusions - particularly
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concerning nutritional supplementation - both sides should be taken with a grain of salt, since agendas
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may have played heavily into their outcomes.
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While there may be genetic reasons in some cases, most individuals requiring more Vitamin C usually
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exhibit much higher than average levels of other nutrients or factors that oppose Vitamin C, with copper
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being at the top of the list. Lowering any Vitamin C antagonists, or adding a small amount of nickel to
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one's daily nutritional regimen considerably reduces the need for mega-doses of Vitamin C, while still
achieving the same benefits. (see also Acu-Cell "Vitamin C Supplementation").
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Cobalt is an integral part of Vitamin B12 (cobalamin), which is necessary for myelin formation - an
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insulating layer found around nerves, to supports red blood cell production, and it is also essential
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for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, the synthesis of proteins, and the conversion of folate to its
active form. The average adult body contains 2 to 5 mg of Vitamin B12, of which most is stored in the
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liver.
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Vit B12 is available in several supplemental forms, of which cyanocobalamin & hydroxycobalamin
(hydroxocobalamin = injectable) are the main synthetic forms that have a cyanide molecule attached,
while adenosylcobalamin and methylcobalamin occur as two coenzymatically active and more
efficient forms.
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In animal experiments, both of these active forms have demonstrated to reduce tumor growth, with
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methylcobalamin being superior in promoting nerve regeneration as well. Other research has not only
suggested an increase in cancer or tumor cell divisions from receiving higher doses of Vitamin B12
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(without however mentioning the actual form used), but also the presence of higher Vit B12 levels with
some heart and liver conditions, and acute or chronic myelogenous leukemia.
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All forms of Vitamin B12 require the intrinsic factor for absorption, which in turn requires adequate
stomach acid and an acid pH of 2.0 or less. Only microorganisms are capable of incorporating cobalt
into Vitamin B12. Since cobalamin is not found in vegetarian food sources, herbivores get Vit B12 by
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eating plants that are infested with insects, or by actively eating feces to meet Vit B12 requirements,
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while in ruminants (sheep, cows), the microbes fermenting and digesting plant material in the rumen
(the first stomach), incorporate cobalt into Vitamin B12, which is subsequently absorbed and utilized.
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Other than resulting from insufficient stomach acid - for which acid-lowering drugs may also be
responsible, cobalt or Vitamin B12 deficiency can develop from malfunctioning or surgical removal
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of parts of the stomach or small intestines, from celiac disease, parasites, or other malabsorption
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disorders. Cobalt Deficiency is not a major problem though as long as one has adequate amounts
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of Vitamin B12.
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Long-term Vitamin B12 deficiency can result in demyelination of large nerve trunks and the spinal cord,
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in reduced white blood cells, and in pernicious anemia with symptoms of severe fatigue, shortness of
breath, dizziness and headaches. Red blood cells become abnormally enlarged and reduced platelet
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formation causes poor clotting and bruising. While high intake of folic acid prevents the red blood cell
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changes caused by a Vitamin B12 deficiency, it does not prevent the resulting nerve damage, which
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may only become apparent in later stages and may not be reversible.
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Homocysteine is a by-product of methionine metabolism that can damage blood vessels and lead
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to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Insufficient levels of nickel, cobalt, Vitamin B12,
Vitamin B6, folate and some other factors may lead to increased levels of this amino acid.
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Cobalt Toxicity is generally also not a concern since it doesn't develop from the normal consumption
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of foods and beverages, unless - as with nickel - there is a natural tendency to retain too much cobalt,
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in which case asthma, anxiety or cardiac symptoms may be experienced. However, a number of years
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ago, cobalt salts were added to beer as foam stabilizers which lead to an epidemic of cardiomyopathy
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and congestive heart failure among beer drinkers. Other effects of overdosing on cobalt (> 5mg / day)
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include abnormal thyroid functions, polycythemia and overproduction of red blood cells (erythropoiesis),
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with increased production of the hormone erythropoietin (EPO) from the kidneys.
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Medically, EPO can increase the red blood cell count by 25-35% so it is used to treat certain forms of
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anemia (i.e. in chronic kidney failure). It has also been used by athletes to improve athletic performance
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by increasing the oxygen-carrying ability of their blood, and to fight fatigue. The blood however thickens
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with excessive use of EPO, so users can suffer blood clots, strokes, heart attacks and related deaths.
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Some uninformed practitioners believe that there is no overdose possible with Vitamin B12, however
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5-10% of the population presents with above-normal levels of Vit B12, so if injections are erroneously
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given, they can trigger a number of adverse symptoms that may include coronary artery spasms with
chest pains, numbness or pain down their right arm, and/or TIA-like symptoms with tingling / numbness
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on the right side of the face.
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There is also a risk of hypokalemia, pulmonary edema, peripheral vascular thrombosis, optic nerve
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atrophy for someone with Leber's disease, and others. Risks from intranasal use of Vitamin B12
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include glossitis, headache, sore throat, rhinitis, and feeling of "pins and needles." Individuals suffering
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from Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) are also vulnerable to experience a worsening, or an acute flare-up
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of MVP symptoms following a Vitamin B12 shot if not indicated.
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Even without having had any Vitamin B12 injections, individuals who run naturally high Vitamin B12
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and cobalt levels (which may include patients with mitral valve prolapse), tend to frequently suffer from
tachycardia, panic-anxiety attacks, or angina-like chest pains, that may be accompanied by numbness
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and tingling in the face or extremities.
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In contrast to cellular measurements, blood tests for cobalt or Vitamin B12 levels (including the Schilling
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test) are not only very unreliable, but at times alarmingly wrong, subjecting patients to improper therapy,
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or routinely misdiagnosing them as Psychiatric Cases, when in fact correcting their abnormal cobalt,
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Vitamin B12 and nickel status (or ratios) could resolve the problem.
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If Vitamin B12 deficiency is suspect and there are no resources to measure cellular Vit B12 levels,
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then blood levels of methylmalonic acid (MMA) can help with assessing Vit B12 requirements since
methylmalonic acid inversely increases with declining Vitamin B12 activity.
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While estimated to be rare, dermal exposure to cobalt can - like with nickel sensitivity - trigger allergic
reactions, dermatitis and asthma, whereby hypersensitivity to nickel becomes a heightened risk factor
for cobalt hypersensitivity. Home or work-related contact sources of cobalt are pottery, paints, some
cosmetics, costume jewelry, antiperspirants, hair dyes, dental plates, etc., and also Vitamin B12 in the
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form of injections (which can cause a red, itchy and tender area around the injection site) and tablets
(which can trigger eczema-like dermatitis).
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In addition to nickel and cobalt, chromium is another metal whose exposure may trigger an allergic
reaction in some hypersensitive individuals, necessitating the use of gloves when handling any suspect
metals, or applying a protective coat of varnish (or clear nail polish) on items one has to touch and use.
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The cell receptors of nickel and cobalt are neurologically linked to the spinal segment T4, whereby both,
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its alignment, and various nutritional factors control the ratio of nickel and cobalt. Alignment problems
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of T4, or nutritional imbalances involving nickel, cobalt, Vitamin C, E, B12 and B15 can either result
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in localized physical discomfort, or they can trigger cardiac / cerebral, or emotional / anxiety-types of
episodes due to blood flow changes to the heart or brain through their respective vasoconstrictive or
vasodilating changes.
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