Re: Off- Topic Vitamin B-12 ??

[Guest guest]

Aletha, Holly, et al

I have always heard that methyl or hydroxy are the superior forms of B-12. If you check most multis or those that include B-12, they are the cyancobalamin form. I spoke with a dr and asked him why this was, and he told me that cyancobalamin is the cheapest form of B-12, that is why it is used most often in multivitamin formulas.

I also read in Wikipedia that the cyanocobalamin form uses cyanide in the purification process. I read on different sites that people with kidney disease do not detoxify the cyanide as well as healthy people and shouldn't take anything but methylcobalamin. Although Cyanide is a a natural chemical produced in the body, too much cyanide is toxic.

A healthy person can convert the cyanocobalamin into the methyl or hydroxy form which are the forms used by the body, but some people are not able to convert it.

A google search yields lots of information on this.

Be well

Arlene

--------- [low dose naltrexone] Vitamin B-12 ??

I have been giving myself deep intamuscular injections of B-12 (cyanocobalamin) for several years now. I take it primarily for the cellular & myelin synthesis benefits. No luck with it giving me increased energy levels, though. I can take 1cc and not even get a boost! Oh well, I do believe it's bound to be helping at unseen levels, though, so I will continue since there are no harmful effects.

I have read some about Methylcobalamin, here and elsewhere. I always thought B12 was B12. Period. Apparently I was wrong? I have a scientific background and normally understand these things easily, but this has me stumped for some reason. The website I found below has some terrific info on B12, though some of it its a bit too clinically technical for me. Maybe my little grey cells are just having a slow day;)

The following is an exerpt from a web site I found today while researching B-12 benefits(there's TONS more info on the site itself):

Methylcobalamin: by Ray Sahelian, M.D., cobalamin benefits

Methylcobalamin is one of the two coenzyme forms of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin). Vitamin B12 plays an important role in red blood cells, prevention and treatment of anemia, methylation reactions, and immune system regulation. Evidence indicates methylcobalamin has some metabolic and therapeutic applications not shared by the other forms of vitamin B12. Simple Methylcobalamin biochemistryMethylcobalamin is the active form of vitamin B12 that 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.

Advanced B-12 Complex combines the two active, coenzymated forms of vitamin B-12 - methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin (dibencozide) - with folic acid. Vitamin B-12 is required for normal growth, cell reproduction, myelin and nucleoprotein synthesis, and the formation of red blood cells. Coenzyme supplementation bypasses the body's need to synthesize the active forms of vitamin B-12 from cyanocobalamin.

Any light anyone can shed on this subject will be greatly appreciated, as always. Especially if anyone has experience using methyl-B12, I'd like to hear more about how it is benefiting you.

Thanks so much. Peace and Blessings, Holly