Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin

Helps the body to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Helps to form red blood cells.

Together with vitamin B6 and folic acid, vitamin B12 is one of the powerhouse trio of B vitamins that help to decrease and normalize the homocysteine levels in our body. Increased homocysteine levels can cause the build-up of plaques in the artery walls (atherosclerosis), which can lead to heart disease or stroke. B12 deficiency is also associated with complications in pregnancies and neurological disorders. Vitamin B12 is also essential to help regulate the hormonal balance in pregnant and menopausal women and also in those using oral contraceptives. Vitamin B12 supplementation is recommended at any age, but it may be particularly beneficial for older people who suffer from age-related degenerative conditions and for people who have a vegetarian or a vegan diet as it is found in meat and seafood.

Detailed Sisu B12 1000mcg Information:
-Vitamin B12 in its active form methylcobalamin for an accelerated absorption
-Vitamin B12 levels may be negatively affected by a variety of substances, including alcohol, oral contraceptives, and drugs
-Vitamin B12 is involved in energy production and supports the production of red blood cells
-Vitamin B12 supplementation is recommended for healthy pregnancies to help balance hormonal fluctuation and support fetal development
-Research shows that adequate dietary intake of vitamin B6 and B12 is related to an improved memory function.

Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) is essential for longevity and for the normal metabolism of nerve tissue. Like vitamin B6, it is involved in the metabolism of protein, fat and carbohydrate. It helps iron to function properly within the body and aids the absorption of carotenes. Since animal protein is almost the only source of naturally-occurring vitamin B12, it is difficult for vegetarians to get enough of this vital vitamin through the diet, making supplementation a necessity.

Vitamin B12 has been found particularly significant in the treatment of AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, diabetic neuropathy and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Vitamin B12 and Alzheimer's Disease
Inadequate or inappropriate nutrition in the elderly often gives rise to impaired mental function. Two of the most frequent nutrient deficiencies in the elderly are vitamin B12 and folic acid. Deficiencies in either of these two vitamins can produce significant mental disturbances. Alzheimer's disease patients have significantly low blood levels of vitamin B12. Supplementation with vitamin B12 and/or folic acid can result in complete reversal of symptoms in some patients usually those who have had the disease for a shorter period than six months.

Vitamin B12 and Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is a disease of the nerves caused by long-term diabetes. Its symptoms include a loss of sensation in various parts of the body that are affected. Doctors have been using vitamin B12 in the treatment of this condition, with a certain degree of success.

Vitamin B12 and Tinnitus
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can result from a deficiency of vitamin B12. One study followed three groups of people: those with chronic tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss, those with noise-induced hearing loss only, and those with normal hearing. In 47 percent of cases within the first two groups, a deficiency of vitamin B12 was found. Only 27 percent of the people with hearing loss only had reduced levels of vitamin B12, and a mere19 percent of the people with normal hearing had a deficiency. This suggests very strongly that tinnitus is associated with deficiency of vitamin B12.

Why do I Need B Vitamins?
The Nutrition Almanac states that B vitamins "may be the single most important factor for maintenance of the nerves."B vitamins are essential for healthy skin, hair, eyes, mouth and liver. Water-soluble B vitamins are not stored in the body and must be replenished daily.

All of the B vitamins work together and are best used by the body in a B complex, which is why many B complex supplements include a small dose of riboflavin in them. If additional supplementation of riboflavin is needed it should be taken in addition to a good B complex. Most B vitamins are water-soluble and any extra from large doses is flushed out of the body easily, therefore it's best to take lower dosages of the B complex several times a day than one larger dose. Spray or sublingual forms of B vitamins are easily absorbed, as are capsules - if your digestion is healthy, then the tablet form is usually suitable for most people.

Anemia

Anemia refers to a group of common blood disorders. It results in the decreased ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen. This manifests as symptoms of fatigue, exhaustion after small amounts of activity, headaches, constipation, loss of appetite, coldness of the extremities, dizziness, sore mouth and increased susceptibility to colds and flus.

There are several types of anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common. It can be caused by large blood losses, small but recurrent blood loss (excess menstrual bleeding or ulcers), hypothyroidism, or long-term illnesses. Megaloblastic anemia is due to a deficiency of B12 and possibly folic acid. Restlessness, numbness and skin cracks on the sides of the mouth are signs of this type of anemia. Liver disease, Crohn's and celiac disease can cause it.Pernicious anemia is also due to a deficiency of B12. This time it occurs because of lack of the ability to absorb B12 in the stomach.

The Nervous System

An insulating fatty sheath comprised of a complex protein called myelin surrounds our nerves. B12 plays a vital role in the metabolism of these fatty acids essential for the maintenance of myelin. Prolonged B12 deficiency can lead to nerve degeneration and irreversible neurological damage.

When deficiency occurs, it is more commonly linked to a failure to effectively absorb B12 from the intestine rather than a dietary deficiency. Absorption of B12 requires the secretion from the cells lining the stomach of a glycoprotein, known as intrinsic factor. The B12- intrinsic factor complex is then absorbed in the ileum (part of the small intestine) in the presence of calcium. Certain people are unable to produce intrinsic factor and the subsequent pernicious anemia is treated with injections of B12.

Vitamin B12 can only be stored in small amounts by the body. Total body store is 2-5 mg in adults and around 80% of this is stored in the liver.

Vitamin B12 is excreted in the bile and is effectively reabsorbed. This is known as the enterohepatic circulation. The amount of B12 excreted in the bile can vary from 1 to 10 mcg (micrograms) a day. Reabsorption is the reason it can take over 20 years for deficiency disease to develop in people changing to diets absent in B12. In comparison, if B12 deficiency is due to a failure in absorption it can take 3 years for deficiency disease to occur.