Initially it was believed that these canker sores are caused by the active ingredient present in most organic or natural toothpastes on the market and named sodium lauryl sulphate or SLS. In reality, the true responsible factor is a shortage of Vitamin B12. Apart from canker sores, it has proved to cause also tongue canker, throbbing mouth sores or oral ulcer. The mucous membranes of the mouth among which the tongue or gums can develop open canker sores. These lesions caused by Vitamin B12 insufficiency are very painful and could last between two and four weeks. Sometimes those who have them are even forced to change the way of food intake because of the terrible pain.
Better Health Channel studied canker sores and came to the conclusion that they are generated by lesions of the oral membranes as well as other conditions. Deficiencies in organic compounds such as Vitamin B12, C, but also folic acid or iron are thought to be responsible for the presence of canker sores.
A 1978 study in the Journal of Oral Pathology demonstrated the connection between canker sores and Vitamin B12. These injuries appear mostly in people who have nutritional deficiencies, especially lacking Vitamin B12, folic acid and iron. Therefore insufficiency of these organic compounds triggered the development of aphthous ulcer.
Vitamin B12 is extremely essential for the proper functioning of the body. It also proves to be very important for the nerve health and the proper functioning of the brain. However, if Vitamin B12 is deficient, the situation is not going to be noticed immediately. Researches say that normally there are no “clinical manifestations” of Vitamin B12 deficiencies. They appear no sooner than quite a few years. The only exception is when other factors are involved as well.
You can take you Vitamin B12 supplies from meat, eggs and dairy products. It turns out that those who are most affected by a shortage of Vitamin B12 are vegetarians and vegans. Vitamin B12 supplies in the body are also diminished by the anti-diabetic drug called metformin. This drug is usually taken by type 2 diabetics who are also suffering from obesity. It obstructs the normal Vitamin B12 absorption triggering the appearance of canker sores.
If you want to avoid Vitamin B12 insufficiency and implicitly canker sores, make sure to eat dairy products regularly, bread and fortified cereals, fish, eggs, poultry, meat in general. You could also opt for a Vitamin B12 supplement if you know to be lacking this organic compound. By doing this, you will see that canker sores will be extremely scarce.
