Abstract: A method for orally administering vitamin preparations is described which combine vitamin B12 (B12, cobalamin) and folic acid (folate), with and without pyridoxine (B6), for preventing and treating elevated serum homocysteine (HC), cystathionine (CT), methylmalonic acid (MMA), or 2-methylcitric acid (2-MCA) levels. These metabolites have been shown to be indicative of B12 and/or folic acid deficiencies. Further, it is likely that a B6 deficiency may be present with a B12 or folate deficiency. The method of the invention is also for use in lowering serum HC, CT, MMA, or 2-MCA in patients with or at risk for neuropsychiatric, vascular, renal or hematologic diseases. The method of the present invention eliminates the costly and time consuming steps of distinguishing between vitamin deficiencies once a deficiency is found by measurement of serum metabolite levels.

Abstract: A method for orally administering vitamin preparations is described which combine vitamin B12 (B12, cobalamin) and folic acid (folate), with and without pyridoxine (B6), for preventing and treating elevated serum homocysteine (HC), cystathionine (CT), methylmalonic acid (MMA), or 2-methylcitric acid (2-MCA) levels. These metabolites have been shown to be indicative of B12 and/or folic acid deficiencies. Further, it is likely that a B6 deficiency may be present with a B12 or folate deficiency. The method of the invention is also for use in lowering serum HC, CT, MMA, or 2-MCA in patients with or at risk for neuropsychiatric, vascular, renal or hematologic diseases. The method of the present invention eliminates the costly and time consuming steps of distinguishing between vitamin deficiencies once a deficiency is found by measurement of serum metabolite levels.

Abstract: A method for orally administering vitamin preparations is described which combine vitamin B12 (B12, cobalamin) and folic acid (folate), with and without pyridoxine (B6), for preventing and treating elevated serum homocysteine (HC), cystathionine (CT), methylmalonic acid (MMA), or 2-methylcitric acid (2-MCA) levels. These metabolites have been shown to be indicative of B12 and/or folic acid deficiencies. Further, it is likely that a B6 deficiency may be present with a B12 or folate deficiency. The method of the invention is also for use in lowering serum HC, CT, MMA, or 2-MCA in patients with or at risk for neuropsychiatric, vascular, renal or hematologic diseases. The method of the present invention eliminates the costly and time consuming steps of distinguishing between vitamin deficiencies once a deficiency is found by measurement of serum metabolite levels.

Abstract: A method for orally administering vitamin preparations is described which combine vitamin B12 (B12, cobalamin) and folic acid (folate), with and without pyridoxine (B6), for preventing and treating elevated serum homocysteine (HC), cystathionine (CT), methylmalonic acid (MMA), or 2-methylcitric acid (2-MCA) levels. These metabolites have been shown to be indicative of B12 and/or folic acid deficiencies. Further, it is likely that a B6 deficiency may be present with a B12 or folate deficiency. The method of the invention is also for use in lowering serum HC, CT, MMA, or 2-MCA in patients with or at risk for neuropsychiatric, vascular, renal or hematologic diseases. The method of the present invention eliminates the costly and time consuming steps of distinguishing between vitamin deficiencies once a deficiency is found by measurement of serum metabolite levels.

Abstract: A method for orally administering vitamin preparations is described which combine vitamin B12 (B12, cobalamin) and folic acid (folate), with and without pyridoxine (B6), for preventing and treating elevated serum homocysteine (HC), cystathionine (CT), methylmalonic acid (MMA), or 2-methylcitric acid (2-MCA) levels. These metabolites have been shown to be indicative of B12 and/or folic acid deficiencies. Further, it is likely that a B6 deficiency may be present with a B12 or folate deficiency. The method of the invention is also for use in lowering serum HC, CT, MMA, or 2-MCA in patients with or at risk for neuropsychiatric, vascular, renal or hematologic diseases. The method of the present invention eliminates the costly and time consuming steps of distinguishing between vitamin deficiencies once a deficiency is found by measurement of serum metabolite levels.

Abstract: A method for orally administering vitamin preparations is described which combine vitamin B12 (B12, cobalamin) and folic acid (folate), with and without pyridoxine (B6), for preventing and treating elevated serum homocysteine (HC), cystathionine (CT), methylmalonic acid (MMA), or 2-methylcitric acid (2-MCA) levels. These metabolites have been shown to be indicative of B12 and/or folic acid deficiencies. Further, it is likely that a B6 deficiency may be present with a B12 or folate deficiency. The method of the invention is also for use in lowering serum HC, CT, MMA, or 2-MCA in patients with or at risk for neuropsychiatric, vascular, renal or hematologic diseases. The method of the present invention eliminates the costly and time consuming steps of distinguishing between vitamin deficiencies once a deficiency is found by measurement of serum metabolite levels.

Abstract: A method for orally administering vitamin preparations is described which combine vitamin B12 (B12, cobalamin) and folic acid (folate), with and without pyridoxine (B6), for preventing and treating elevated serum homocysteine (HC), cystathionine (CT), methylmalonic acid (MMA), or 2-methylcitric acid (2-MCA) levels. These metabolites have been shown to be indicative of B12 and/or folic acid deficiencies. Further, it is likely that a B6 deficiency may be present with a B12 or folate deficiency. The method of the invention is also for use in lowering serum HC, CT, MMA, or 2-MCA in patients with or at risk for neuropsychiatric, vascular, renal or hematologic diseases. One embodiment of the invention is the use of a non-prescription formulation containing 2.0 mg B12 and 0.4 mg folic acid, with and without 25 mg B6. Another embodiment uses a prescription strength formulation containing 2.0 mg B12 and 1.0 mg folic acid, with and without 25 mg B6.

Abstract: A method for orally administering vitamin preparations is described which combine vitamin B12 (B12, cobalamin) and folic acid (folate), with and without pyridoxine (B6), for preventing and treating elevated serum homocysteine (HC), cystathionine (CT), methylmalonic acid (MMA), or 2-methylcitric acid (2-MCA) levels. These metabolites have been shown to be indicative of B12 and/or folic acid deficiencies. Further, it is likely that a B6 deficiency may be present with a B12 or folate deficiency. The method of the invention is also for use in lowering serum HC, CT, MMA, or 2-MCA in patients with or at risk for neuropsychiatric, vascular, renal or hematologic diseases. One embodiment of the invention is the use of a non-prescription formulation containing 2.0 mg B12 and 0.4 mg folic acid, with and without 25 mg B6. Another embodiment uses a prescription strength formulation containing 2.0 mg B12 and 1.0 mg folic acid, with and without 25 mg B6.

Abstract: A method for orally administering vitamin preparations is described which combine vitamin B.sub.12 (B.sub.12, cobalamin) and folic acid (folate), with and without pyridoxine (B.sub.6), for preventing and treating elevated serum homocysteine (HC), cystathionine (CT), methylmalonic acid (MMA), or 2-methylcitric acid (2-MCA) levels. These metabolites have been shown to be indicative of B.sub.12 and/or folic acid deficiencies. Further, it is likely that a B.sub.6 deficiency may be present with a B.sub.12 or folate deficiency. The method of the invention is also for use in lowering serum HC, CT, MMA, or 2-MCA in patients with or at risk for neuropsychiatric, vascular, renal or hematologic diseases. One embodiment of the invention is the use of a non-prescription formulation containing 2.0 mg B.sub.12 and 0.4 mg folic acid, with and without 25 mg B.sub.6. Another embodiment uses a prescription strength formulation containing 2.0 mg B.sub.12 and 1.0 mg folic acid, with and without 25 mg B.sub.6.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing cobalamin deficiency in warm-blooded animals is described. In one embodiment, this method comprises the measurement of methylmalonic acid levels in cerebral spinal fluid to determine if such levels exceed normal range. A finding of elevated levels indicates a cobalamin deficiency. In another embodiment, the method comprises the measurement of methylmalonic acid levels in cerebral spinal fluid and serum. A finding that the ratio of methylmalonic acid in cerebral spinal fluid to that in serum is above normal is indicative of a cobalamin deficiency. Additionally, a method for assessing the effectiveness of cobalamin therapy is described. The effectiveness of therapy is assessed by determining whether cerebral spinal fluid levels of methylmalonic acid have returned to normal, or by determining whether the ratio of methylmalonic acid in cerebral spinal fluid to that in serum has returned to normal range.

Abstract: Improved methods for the GC/MS analysis of sulfhydryl amino acids and methylmalonic acids in samples of body fluids are provided. Additionally a method for combined assay of sulfhydryl amino acids particularly total homocysteine and combined creatine/creatinine levels in samples of body fluids provided. The information provided by the methods described is useful in the detection of the presence of cobalamin or folate deficiencies in individuals and in distinguishing between the two deficiencies.

Abstract: A method for screening and distinguishing between cobalamin deficiency and folic acid deficiency by relating elevated levels of cystathionine to cobalamin or folic acid deficiency and relating elevated levels of 2-methylcitric acid to cobalamin deficiency but not folic acid deficiency. The methods can be used alone or in combination with other methods for detecting and distinguishing between cobalamin deficiency and folic acid deficiency.

Abstract: Method for determining levels of sulfhydryl amino acids, particularly total homocysteine levels in samples of body tissue from warm-blooded animals, methods of detecting cobalamin and folic acid deficiency using an assay for total homocysteine levels, and methods for distinguishing cobalamin from folic acid deficiency using an assay for total homocysteine levels in conjunction with an assay for methylmalonic acid.