Alternative Health Blog

Vitamin B12 has been suggest by researchers as a potential supplement to reverse aging effects such as bone loss, frailty and even Alzheimer’s disease. A new study adds the less dramatic but practical result of combating canker sores. If you or a loved one suffers from these chronic mouth sores that disrupt not only eating and taste but quality of life, a new study by Israeli scientists provides distinct hope.

The study published in the January issue of the Journal of American Board of Family Medicine shows that nightly oral supplements of 1,000 milligrams of B12 can reduce frequency and severity of canker sores compared to a control group taking a placebo. One of every four of us who struggle with canker sores will find this news a welcome—and low-cost—solution.

The research points to the need for taking the B12 supplements for five to six months before what are lasting effects. The natural vitamin outperforms the many treatments on market, including herbs, antiseptic rinses, topical steroid creams and other vitamins.

In 58 volunteer subjects, it was found that during the sixth month, there was “no status” of canker sores. While six months can quell about a third of all canker sore outbreaks (meaning the other two-thirds are tolerating misery), the Israeli group discovered three of every four B12 consumers were free of the canker sores. Most significantly, pain was minimal or non-existent during the later months of treatment. 

That’s news you can use.

The researchers could not explain how the B12 offset canker persistence, but noted that even lower doses of the vitamin seem to be effective over the long term. For anyone who has unwillingly accepted canker sores as part of everyday living, this is an important finding that can be tried without side effects.

There is broader lesson in this study for alternative health therapies. We have been conditioned as Americans to expect the quick fix of, say, aspirin for a headache or antihistamines for allergies. Sometimes trusting in a health practitioner and a steady but slow therapy over several months (acupuncture for those headaches or weekly reflexology sessions for those allergies and sinus drip) can be a lasting answer.

Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.