Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12)

Vitamin B12 deficiencies have been mainly related to blood deficiency diseases, such as macrocytos and pernicious aneamia. Vitamin B12 deficiencies are followed by neurological and psychological disorders, such as disturbed sense of co-ordination, loss of memory, abnormal reflexes, weakness, loss of muscle strength, exhaustion, confusion, low self-confidence, incontinence, impaired vision, frequent need to pass water, psychological deviances.

Deficiencies can be caused by low intestinal B12 uptake (intestinal disorders), low intrinsic factor (a substance essential for its transport to the blood) in the stomach, deficiency of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juices (increasing with old age), regular use of laxatives or medicines like Losec (for treatment of peptic ulcer), low uptake in the central nervous system (CNS) or excessive B12 degradation. Lack of calcium in the food can also reduce the uptake and so can heavy metals.

The transport of vitamin B12 to the brain can be disturbed or interrupted by heavy metals such as inorganic mercury, which affects the blood-brain barrier by causing leakage and hampering the active transport of nutrients. Non-anaemic vitamin B12 deficiencies also play a role in diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Diabetes and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Schizophrenia, a psychotic condition, has been successfully treated with B12 injections in combination with other supplements. There also seems to be a connection between B12 deficiencies and cardiovascular diseases. Methylcobalamin acts as a cofactor for methionine synthase in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, thus lowering blood levels of homocysteine.  Methylcobalamin acts as a methyl donor and participates in the synthesis of SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine), a nutrient that has powerful mood elevating properties.

Vitamin B12 comes in many different forms – methylcobalamin, cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, being the most common. They are freely transformed into each other in the body however, vitamin B12 in the brain and CNS is only present as methylcobalamin. Supplemented Vitamin B12 in its active form, methylcobalamin, gives a much better result than other forms which have to be transformed into methylcobalamin. It is possible that the process of transformation itself is inefficient in many patients.

The uptake from oral methylcobalamin B12 supplementation is usually very low, approx. 1 %. Vitamin B12 is therefore often given intramuscularly. Subbuccal lozenges which is directly absorbed into the blood stream avoiding the need of injections are also available and preferred. Sublingual drops which are placed under the tounge, transdermal creams and nasal sprays are also available however due to its short half life in solution it needs to be used within 14 days of preparation.

Other benefits of methylcobalamin:
Regulate homocysteine

Protect against nerve damage, assist in nerve regeneration and diabetic neuropathy

Increase energy levels

Improve sleep

Reduce stress

Enhance growth and repair of all cells

Aid in metabolism of carbohydrates and fats

Improve protein synthesis

Improve immune function

Increase mental alertness

Special Note: Vitamin B-12 is not recommended in people who have mercury toxicity because it is a “methylator”. A methylator is a chemical that attaches a “methyl” chemical group onto another chemical. Methylation is an important process in the body however in the case of attaching a methyl group (CH-3) onto mercury, elemental mercury becomes methyl mercury (MeHg). MeHg is about 100 times more damaging to the nervous system than elemental mercury. MeHg has an affinity for the nervous system, so it will be attracted to the place where it can do the most damage. Therefore Vit B12 should be avoided in these patients and this may help explain why some patients actually get worse on Vit 12 supplements. If this is the case you should have your mercury levels tested. Vit B12 can be used once mercury has been removed from your system.

Related posts:

1. Vitamin D
2. Copper Toxicity
3. Detoxification Program

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 15th, 2006 at 11:59 am and is filed under Health Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.