Vitamin B 12 and Folate Prevent Aphthous Ulcers
Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) is a widespread, common oral mucousal lesion. Incidence levels vary with reports as high s 50% in women and 40% in men. The lesions are small, oval in shape with necrotic tissue in the center and a red, inflamed border. The lesions are painful, especially with eating and regular oral hygiene. RAS is more common in younger people than older people. This difference might be explained by dietary intake of nutrients. Younger people are less likely to eat healthy, well balanced meals than older people.
Researchers analyzed the dietary intake of 100 subjects who experienced at least three episodes of RAS in the past year. Nine nutrients were identified for comparison: vitamins, A, B6, B12, C, E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and folate. Those in the RAS group had higher levels of seven of the nine nutrients than the controls. The two nutrients that were lower in this group were vitamin B12 and folate. This correlates to 7% of the recommended daily intake level for vitamin B12 and 20% of the recommended level for folate. Just how vitamin deficiencies affect RAS is unknown.
Thus, increasing dietary B12 and folate or adding nutritional supplements seems an easy way to prevent recurrent aphthous ulcers.
Dr. Caroline Wallace DDS
Complete Dental Care
103 South Colorado Street
Salem, Virginia, 24153
540-387-3844
Wonderful advice! Thank you so much for this information.
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