Overview

Methylcobalamin is one of two coenzymes forms of B12. Evidence indicates that methylcobalamin has some metabolic and therapeutic applications not shared by the other forms of vitamin B12. Cyanocobalamin, the second coenzyme, is the most common form of B12 provided at physician offices and in over the counter supplements. Methylcobalamin is the more bio-available of the two, meaning that methylcobalamin is immedietly ready for the body to use once injected. Cyanocobalamin must be first broken down within the liver only to produce small amounts of methylcobalamin which the body can utilize.
Methylcobalamin is a very effective treatment for B12 deficiencies commonly found in patients suffer from disease or have nutritional deficits (such as ultra low calorie diets).
Benefits and Uses

Methylcobalamin is the only active form of B12 found within the Central Nervous System (CNS). Benefits of Methylcobalamin supplementation include;

  • Assists in the reduction of elevated Homocysteine. Elevated Homocysteine has been linked to increased cardiovascular risk of disease.
  • Proven beneficial for symptoms of depression (i.e., supporting the production of serotonin and melatonin)
  • acts as a methyl donor and participates in the synthesis of SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine), a nutrient that has powerful mood elevating properties.
  • Supports Immune system regulation
  • Repair of damaged myelin sheath
  • acts to reverse nerve damage and promote nerve cell regeneration
  • Increased metabolic function
  • Supports healthy red blood cells and is used to treat Anemia
  • Protects against neurological disease and aging
  • Improvement of mental dysfunction in the elderly
  • Supportive treatment in HIV
  • Useful in protocols for asthma and sulfite sensitivities
  • necessary for the conversion of methylmalonate to succinic acid, an important Krebs cycle intermediate in energy production

How supplied

10mL Methylcobalamin 1000mcg/mL
5mL Methylcobalamin 10,000mcg/mL

How to take Injectable Methylcobalamin (B12)
Methylcobalamin is a water based vitamin and is very easy to inject using a small "insulin" needle. Methylcobalamin is stored in the body for long periods of time and serum B12 levels in most healty people can remain elevated for up to one month after a single injection. Methylcobalamin is a water soluble vitamin and high dosages can be taken without risk, therefore many people take more frequent injections to help with energy. Here is one recommended protocol for taking methylcobalamin injections:
Using a small "insulin" syringe, measuring 5/16" to 1/2", inject subcutaneously 1ml of methylcobalamin once per week. It can be taken additional days in between weekly injections if you feel there is a benefit or if you require more frequent injections to treat chronic illness. Some people take methylcobalamin daily to treat certain symptoms.
Serum B12 Level Maintenance
Optimal serum B12 levels can be maintained with methylcobalamin injections administered once per month. It is recommended to inject methylcobalamin deeper when administering less frequent injections. We recommend using a 5/8" to 1" needle when injecting methylcobalamin once per month. Here is a good protocol if your goal is to treat B12 deficiency and bring serum B12 levels to a good range:
Using a small "insulin" syringe, measuring 5/16" to 1/2", inject subcutaneously 1ml of methylcobalamin once per week for 4 weeks. Thereafter inject 1ml of methylcobalamin once per month, or every 30 days.
*Note : larger amounts of methylcobalamin are necessary to correct neurological defects and protect against aging
Injection vs Oral

Absorption of methylcobalamin is optimal with an injection compared to oral administration, and therefore less frequent injections are needed once blood levels of B12 reach an acceptable level.
Research study

Oral supplements of vitamin B12 appear to correct vitamin B12 deficiencies as well as B12 injections. However, in order to correct a deficiency, oral doses need to contain more than 200 times the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin B12. Study author Dr. Lisette C. P. G. M. de Groot of Wageningen University in the Netherlands explained that most people develop vitamin B12 deficiencies as a result of "malabsorption," in which their bodies become unable to extract vitamin B12 from food. The deficiency typically strikes older people, she added, and takes years to develop. In some instances, people who avoid animal products -- such as vegans and followers of a macrobiotic diet -- can also develop a deficiency in vitamin B12 as a result of not eating enough B12-rich foods. A vitamin B12 deficiency is typically treated by monthly, often painful, shots. To investigate whether an oral dose of vitamin B12 works, as well, they tested various daily doses of oral vitamin B12 supplements in 120 people aged 70 and older. They found that daily oral doses of 647 to 1032 micrograms of vitamin B12 appeared to correct the deficiency. The current RDA for vitamin B12 is 3 micrograms per day. Archives of Internal Medicine, May 23, 2005.
Side Effects:

Irritation at the injection site and/or skin rash have been reported by some patients.
Vitamin B12 Blood Test

This test is available to patients across the US. Please let us know if you would like to add a vitamin B12 test to your next lab appointment.
Maximizing B12 Benefits

METHYLCOBALAMIN IS MOST EFFECTIVE AS PART OF A COMPLETE NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM. A complete foundational supplement program begins with a Multivitamin, Essential Fats, and a Vitamin D3 formula. Additional supplements may then be added depending on individual needs. The effectiveness of Vitamin B12 significantly may be improved by a foundational nutritional supplement program.
REFERENCES:

  • Akaike A Tamura Y Sato Y Yokota T, Eur J Pharmacol (1993 Sep 7) 241(1):1-6
  • Ide H Fujiya S Asanuma Y Tsuji M Sakai H Agishi Y, Clin Ther (1987) 9(2):183-92
  • Watanabe T Kaji R Oka N Bara W Kimura J, J Neurol Sci (1994 Apr) 122(2):140-3
  • Yamazaki K Oda K Endo C Kikuchi T Wakabayashi T, Neurosci Lett (1994 Mar 28) 170(1):195-7
  • Leszkowicz A Keith G Dirheimer G, Biochemistry (1991 Aug 13) 30(32):8045-51
  • Baldessarini, R. (1987) "Neuropharmacology of S-adenosyl-L-methionine." JAMA, 83: 95-103
  • Bottiglieri, T., et al. (1990) "Cerebrospinal fluid S-adenosylmethionine in depression and dementia: effects of treatment with parenteral and oral S-adenosylmethionine." J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, 53: 1096-98.
  • Fava, M., et al. (1997) "Folate, B12, and homocysteine in major depression." Am. J. Psychiatry, 154: 426-428.
  • Ikeda, T., et al. (1993) "Treatment of Alzheimer-type dementia with intravenous mecobalamin." Clin. Therap., 14: 426-437.
  • Watanaabe, T., et al. (1994) Ultra high dose methylcobalamin promotes nerve regeneration in experimental acrylamide neuropathy." J. Neurol. Sci., 122: 140-143.