Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)

WHAT IS METHYLCOBALAMIN?

Vitamin B12 is found naturally in most animal-source foods but is not present in plant-based foods; that’s because B12 is found in an organism which animals eat and; therefore, it can potentially be obtained through a carnivore diet. It is also added to many other foods such as soy, almond, oat, cashew, and coconut milk, breakfast cereals, tofu, fruit juice, as well as non-dairy yogurt. Despite this, B12 deficiency is one of the most common deficiencies around the world, affecting upwards of 25 to 40% of the population. This is especially worrisome when you consider how important B12 is to health. Beyond diet, a vitamin B12 deficiency can often be the result of malabsorption, a condition that can be caused by digestive disorders, as well as the aging process in general.

Vitamin B12 is crucial to ensure the proper formation of all of the body's cells and for the healthy production of red blood cells. It is also required for the body’s utilization of iron, so plays an integral part in the prevention of anemia. In addition, B12 is key to; the proper metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and protein, for proper growth and development, to prevent nerve damage, promote fertility, maintain a healthy nervous system, myelin sheath integrity, promote healthy cognitive function and is essential to cardiovascular health.

BENEFITS of METHYLCOBALAMIN

• Boosts Energy
• Helps Prevent Major Birth Defects
• Protects Neurological Health
• Supports Form of Red Blood Cells & Anemia Prevention
  
  

WHO NEEDS METHYLCOBALAMIN?

Natural health care practitioners and conventional medical doctors both recommend B12 supplements to correct B12 deficiency, to prevent and treat anemia, for lack of energy & stamina, to support metabolism, for lack of focus & concentration, to help support & regulate the nervous system, to aid healthy sleep, to preserve and protect brain health & cognition, as well to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Worth noting; Methylcobalamin has been shown to be the preferred form for conditions relating to the nervous system. It has also been shown to have a neuroprotective activity, which provides great cognitive support. Methylcobalamin is also an often used treatment for peripheral neuropathy as frequently seen in type 2 diabetes.

METHYLCOBALAMIN POTENCY, FORMS & FORMATS

Methylcobalamin Potency

While methylcobalamin supplements can be found in a range of potencies, the most common doses are between 250 to 1,000 mcg, with certain brands featuring extra strength formulas supplying up to 5,000 mcg.

Methylcobalamin Forms

Vitamin B12 is primarily available in two forms, cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin. While cyanocobalamin is the most common form of B12 in supplements because of its low cost, it is also a synthetic form that is not found in nature. Once absorbed, it must be converted to either methylcobalamin or adenosylcobalamin, two active forms of vitamin B12. Methylcobalamin, on the other hand, is a naturally occurring form of B12 that is easily absorbed and used by the body and is considered the preferred bioactive form of B12.

Methylcobalamin Formats

Vitamin B12 in methylcobalamin form is widely available in tablets, capsules, lozenges, sublingual drops or caps, and oral sprays. Naturopathic doctors may also recommend B12 injections or infusions to be administered at their office for more direct access to the bloodstream.

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR METHYLCOBALAMIN SUPPLEMENT

Because the body stores about 1 to 5 mg of B12 in fatty tissues, primarily the liver, for later use, the symptoms of deficiency typically take between 3-5 years to appear. However, the body requires B12 for a variety of bodily processes daily, so a consistent daily intake is crucial to maintaining optimal B12 stores. Supplementation is especially important for pregnant and lactating women, vegans and vegetarians, individuals with gastrointestinal disorders, those with pernicious anemia, and for older adults.