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 Autism, 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 – approximately only 1 %. Methylcobalamin is therefore often given by intramuscular injection. It is available as a methylcobalamin 25mg/ml injection. Due to the inconvenience an expense of injections methycobalamin is also available as methylcobalamin Subbuccal lozenges, methylcobalamin Nasal sprays, and methylcobalamin sublingual drops. The injections, drops and nasal sprays all need to be stored in the fridge away from light in order to maintain their stability.
All delivery systems of methylcobalamin mentioned in this article are available through our laboratory. Click on the appropriate link above to order or alternatively refer the ordering information page to view the various ordering methods available.
Other benefits of methylcobalamin:
Removes Heavy Metals
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: According to the Heavy Metal Bulletin, March 1999, some researchers [including Dr Hal Huggins] and the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology in the USA have previously recommended caution in the use of methyl cobalamin injections in the treatment of amalgam patients. They feared that vitamin B12 in that form could readily methylate mercury in the body. 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. It has already been well established that methylcobalamin can readily methylate mercury in vitro by just simply being in its presence without the need of any catalysts. The actual siginficance of this in vivo is unkown and only theoretcial at this stage but in my belief should not be discounted completely.
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I had a cat that had severe neuropathy. I gave it the adult dose of B12methyl -just straight down the throat with a syringe of water to follow – sub lingual is impossible with a cat. Whatever inside three months he was again walking on his toes, could jump onto lap, bed or whatever as well as run!
I used it myself when I retired from 10 years of night shift to nurse cancer ridden partner. Took me just one week to reset my circadian clock and used melatonin to get to sleep at appropriate hour for just one week also. Friends with whom I worked but would not take this path are still wanting to sleep by day and wake by night 12 years after retiring