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.
DOSES
The dose of methylcobalain can vary depending on what you are specifically treating. For fatigue conditions it is common to take 1-2 mg daily either subcutaneously or via nasal spray, however lozenges are also available. In these cases our 10mg/ml injections, nasal spray or lozenges are the best options.
How to Take Methylcobalamin
The absorption of methylcobalamin orally is usually very low – approximately only 1 % so is not recommended. Methylcobalamin can therefore be given by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection with the latter being the preferred method to overcome absorption issues. Methylcobalamin injections are available from us in a variety of strengths with a doctors prescription, with the 10mg/ml being the most popular. Many of our patients are now using the Needle-free injector for subcutaneous injections which are very easy to do and pain free – NO more Needles!
For those who do not like the thought of injecting we also produce a nasal spray, sublingual lozenges and drops which all bypass absorption issues with the gut. Methycobalamin is available online throough the members section of this website. They all need to be stored in the fridge away from light in order to maintain their stability. The order of most effective to the least of these methods is:
Nasal Spray > Lozenges > Drops
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
