Recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAUs) or recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), are also known as canker sores. They are among the most common oral mucosal lesions. If you suffer from canker sores, there is some research that you should know about. When you read about canker sores from a traditional perspective, the official view is that the cause is unknown. There may be, however, a nutritional link.

Research published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2002 Jan;16(1):66-7), there may be a connection between findings in a blood count and canker sores. The researchers tested the iron, ferritin, folic acid and vitamin B12 levels in 35 patients with RAS. They found that the vitamin B12 level was lower in the subjects with RAS than it was in healthy control subjects. Other research in the Netherlands Journal of Medicine (1998 Oct;53(4):172-5) also made the connection between B12 levels and canker sores.

In other research, published in the Journal of Oral Pathology (1983 Aug;12(4):290-9) found a connection between low ferritin levels and oral ulcerations. The British Medical Journal (1975 May 31;2(5969):490-3) suggested that deficiencies in folic acid, vitamin B12, and iron may be linked to oral ulcerations. The patients also responded well when being supplemented to address their respective deficiencies.