THE IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN B12

What you can expect from Natural Factors Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin 1000 mcg

- Supports the nervous system
- Helps memory and learning
- Boosts energy
- Helps control homocysteine levels
- Promotes a healthy cardiovascular system
- Enhances immune system function
- Effectively supports brain and nerve function.
- May help in the treatment of sleep-wake disorders
- May improve daytime alertness in shift-workers and the elderly
- Derived from vegetable sources so is an excellent source of vitamin B12 for vegetarians

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin necessary for energy production; for nervous system function as it is needed to produce myelin, the fatty substance that forms a protective sheath around nerves; for the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that helps with memory and learning; for the synthesis of red blood cells; for producing the genetic materials, DNA and RNA. It can help depression and give you energy. Most vitamin B12 comes from animal source foods and is deficient in strict vegetarian diets.

Vitamin B12 works with folic acid to control homocysteine levels. Research shows that high levels of homocysteine may dramatically increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. However, many of us may not be absorbing the vitamin B12 as effectively from food as we could and others, such as vegetarians, may develop outright deficiencies in this important vitamin. Studies show that supplemental vitamin B12 can help us in other ways, too.

Many elderly people suffering from neurological impairment find that B12 supplementation greatly improves their cognitive function. Published studies show that vitamin B12 in supplement form is absorbed better by elderly people than vitamin B12 that is bound to food.

Shift workers, too, can benefit from sublingual methylcobalamin. It's well established that shift workers have more trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Poor sleep quality is probably why they have greater susceptibility to illnesses, including cell growths, and have more accidents than other sectors of the population.

In a recent study, subjects taking methylcobalamin experience improved sleep quality and increased daytime alertness and concentration, and in some cases they also reported improved mood. Much of the benefit appears to be a result of methylcobalamin's influence on melatonin secretion and resetting the biological clock. Specifically, methylcobalamin causes a significant decrease in daytime melatonin levels while increasing nighttime levels.

B12 methylcobalamin makes adrenaline from norepinephrine, and melatonin from serotonin. It is crucial for the transcription of DNA, and other entities. To convert harmful homocysteine into the beneficial antioxidant, methionine, a methyl group is required. Methylcobalamin provides it thereby protecting your cardiac system.

How B12 Works

Vitamin B12, like folic acid, functions as a "methyl donor". A methyl donor is simply any substance that can transfer a methyl group (a carbon atom attached to three hydrogen atoms) to another substance. Referred to as methylation, many important biochemical functions rely on this process, such as proper energy metabolism, immune function, and nerve function. More speci- fically, methyl donors help in the production of several brain chemicals and hence improve cognitive function, mood, energy, and sleep. As we age, our body's ability to methylate declines, contributing to declining health.

B12 Deficiencies & Symptoms

Vitamin B12 deficiency is far more widespread than previously recognized, according to research by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). A study of 3,000 men and women found 39% had a B12 plasma level below 258 picomoles per litre (pmol/L). The currently accepted deficiency level is 148 pmol/L, but lead researcher Katherine Tucker said neurological symptoms of B12 deficiency occur even at B12 levels well above 258 pmol/L (McBride). Unlike other water-soluble nutrients, vitamin B12 is stored in the liver, kidneys, and other body tissues. As a result, the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency may not show them- selves until five to six years of poor dietary intake, or inadequate secretion of "intrinsic factor" (produced along with stomach acid for absorption of B12), have transpired. The classic deficiency symptom is pernicious anemia, however, it appears that a defi- ciency will affect the brain and nervous system first. Impaired nerve function can cause numbness, a pins and needles sensa- tion, or a burning feeling in the feet, as well as impaired mental function. Because B12 is found primarily in foods of animal origin, vegetarians and vegans are particularly susceptible to B12 deficiencies. Yet, people who eat meat now have B12 defi- ciency rates equal to vegetarians (McBride).

Much more prevalent than a true deficiency is malabsorption due to mild or moderate atrophic gastritis, resulting from decreased gastric acid secretion. B12 levels also decrease as we age. Age-related deficiency is associated with hearing loss, memory impairment, and psychiatric disorders, along with heart disease and stroke.

Alzheimer's patients have less B12 in their spinal fluid than people without the disease. Surprisingly, the USDA study found that adults aged 26 to 49 years now have high rates of B12 deficiency, equal to that of older people.

Vitamin B12 status is also affected by smoking, high alcohol consumption, and recommendation medications that inhibit stomach acid.

Methylcobalamin A Superior Form Of B12

An enhanced form of B12 called methylcobalamin offers advantages over all other forms, including injections given by your doctor. Methylcobalamin is a highly bioavailable form of B12 that does not require intrinsic factor. It also dissolves quickly under the tongue and is readily absorbed directly into the blood stream, bypassing digestion. Blood levels of B12 indicate that sublingual B12 becomes available as early as 15 minutes after administration and is still elevated 24 hours later. A randomized, controlled trial involving 93 patients found that oral B12 was even more effective than injections. After four months, those receiving oral B12 had a median plasma level of 1,005 pmol/L versus 325 for those receiving injections (Butler).

Comparing Other Forms

Cyanocobalamin is the most common form of vitamin B12, but it is inferior for two reasons. First, enough of the protein intrinsic factor, normally found in stomach acid, must be produced for absorption. Surprising numbers of people, both young and old, have a problem producing enough intrinsic factor. Second, even if cyanocobalamin is absorbed, the liver converts only about 1% of it to its active form, methylcobalamin. Since methylcobalmin is the active form, as the tablet dissolves under the tongue, the B12 immediately starts to benefit the blood, brain, and body. Two other forms of B12, hydroxocobalamin and adenosylcobala- min, while better than cyanocobalamin, are no match for sublin- gual methylcobalamin, which has produced better results in clinical trials than other forms of B12.

Dosage

Dissolve 1 tablet daily under the tongue or as directed by a health care practitioner. For advanced neurological disorders such as MS, Bell's palsy, diabetic neuropathy, and Alzheimer's, take 5,000 mcg per day. Persons with any severe neurological condition should work closely with their health care practitioner.

Natural Factors provides B12 Methylco- balamin in 1,000 mcg and 5,000 mcg sublingual tablets. As all the B vitamins work together, it makes sense to take a B-complex daily when taking high amounts of any B vitamin.

Contraindications

The following drugs can interfere with the absorption or utilization of vitamin B12: antibiotics, Aldomet, Atromid-S, Azidothymidine (AZT), Azulfidine, birth control pills, cimetidine (Tagamet), Metformin (Glucophage), Isoniazid (Laniazid), Pepcid, Prevacid, Prilosec, Ranitidine (Zantac).

Additional Information

Children: Although vitamin B12 is considered suitable for children even at the adult dosage, it is preferable that children using high dosages, such as those found in stand-alone vitamins, should do so under the supervision of a health care practitioner. We prefer that children use multivitamins for daily maintenance specially formulated for a child's nutritional needs.

Pregnancy and Nursing: Vitamin B12 supplementation is generally regarded as safe during pregnancy and lactation. However, therapeutic dosages, such as found in stand-alone vitamins, should only be used under the supervision of a health care practitioner. The best dosage of vitamin B12 is found in specially-designed prenatal vitamins.

Seniors: No special precautions are known.