Monday, March 31, 2008

B12 -- Cyanocobalamin Versus Methylcobalamin

: Cyanocobalamin is the most commonly supplemented form of vitamin B12, but you might be surprised to discover that this form of vitamin B12 does not actually occur in plants or animal tissues. In other words, outside of the chemically synthesized cyanocobalamin that you encounter as B12 in most vitamin supplements, you would be extremely hard pressed to find this compound in nature (in fact you would not be able to find it). As the name implies, cyanocobalamin contains a cyanide molecule. Most people are familiar with cyanide as a poisonous substance. Although the amount of cyanide in a normal B12 supplement is small and from a toxicology point, viewed as insignificant, your body will still need to remove and eliminate this compound. This removal is accomplished through your detoxification systems with substances like glutathione being very important for the elimination of the cyanide.

Compared with cyanocobalamin, it appears that methylcobalamin is better absorbed and retained in higher amounts within your tissues. In simple terms, they are used much more effectively. In general, methylcobalamin is used primarily in your liver, brain and nervous system.

Methylcobalamin is the specific form of B12 needed for nervous system health. Because of this it should be the first form of this vitamin thought of when interested in attempting to optimize the health of the nervous system with vitamin supplementation. Indications of a potential deficiency of B12 in the nervous system might include numbness, tingling, loss of feeling sensation, burning sensations, muscle cramps, nerve pain and slowness of reflexes.

Because of methylcobalamin's importance in nervous system health, it is also an important nutrient for vision. In fact, continued visual work (like work on a computer) often leads to a reduction in something called "visual accommodation". Methylcobalamin can significantly improve visual accommodation, while cyanocobalamin appears to be ineffective.

An elevated level of homocysteine is a metabolic indication of decreased levels of the coenzyme forms of vitamin B12, especially methylcobalamin. Homocysteine has received a tremendous amount of emphasis in the scientific literature because of its associations with heart disease and a variety of other specific health conditions. I have even seen advertisements on television promoting folic acid, as a vitamin needed to lower homocysteine. While this is true, and folic acid does lower homocysteine levels, the combination of methylcobalamin and folic acid appears to work much better.

The most well studied use of methylcobalamin has to do with sleep. Although the exact mechanism of action is not yet clear, it is possible that methylcobalamin is needed for the synthesis of melatonin. Available information indicates that methylcobalamin can modulate melatonin secretion, enhance light-sensitivity, and normalize circadian rhythm (your 24-hour clock). Because of this, individuals supplementing this form of B12 often have improved quality of sleep, often will require slightly less sleep, and will not uncommonly report that they feel a bit more refreshed when waking in the morning. Methylcobalamin is particularly effective when your 24-hour clock is not running smoothly. This may be indicated by a need for excessive sleep, changing sleep-wake cycles, or a tendency to have altered sleep wake patterns. As examples, you might require 10-12 hours of sleep, or you might not feel tired until 2-3 am and you might wake at noon, or you might find that you wake a bit later every day and go to be a bit later every night. Under all of these circumstances the combination of methylcobalamin (about 3000 mcg daily) and exposure to bright light in the morning can help reestablish your 24-hour clock.

Because of methylcobalamin's impact on 24-hour clock and the cycles that feed of this, it is also an important vitamin to regulate your 24-hour release of the stress hormone cortisol. This seems to be particularly important for blood types A and AB. Methylcobalamin also seems to result in a better 24-hour maintenance of body temperature. Typically individuals supplementing this coenzyme form of B12 have higher temperatures in the later hours of the daytime. This usually corresponds with improved alertness at the same time of the day. While this can be of importance to all blood types, low body temperatures seems to be an area of greater challenge for A's and B's.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

great info! thanks so much

Vegan Chef said...

Marvellous - many thanks for posting this summary - It's cheap non synergistic supplements that have allowed the EU to legislate against vitamins and minerals in favour of the drug industry.

Nutritionist London

MorDaniela said...

Hi, I am using whole complex of products made mainly of natural forms of vitamin, minerals and enzymes. The only thing worries me is that the B12 in it is Cyanocobalamin. So now, should I stop taking the whole thing just because of this..?

Peter Kruse said...

Great post! Thanks! Pete

magmahombre said...

Comment for MorDaniela:

A possible alternative to throwing away your multivitamin is to supplement with subligual B12 methylcobaltamine, either as a subligual tablet or spray. Cyanocobaltamine interfers with the absorption of methylcobaltamin so taking methylcobaltamine in a non-injection, non-sublingual form is pointless. A top quality subligual spray is available at www.mercola.com but it is expensive. There are many other choices available.

will glennon said...

Thanks for sharing the information about Cyanocobalamin Versus Methylcobalamin. It's very useful post for me because I wanted to get more information about this topic, After reading your post, I got about my answer that Which is the best supplements. Thanks once again. Keep doing such a posting.

Alex Perrone said...

Thanks for the post. It seems well written, but no citations or references given, so unfortunately cannot really see it as credible compared to other sources which have citations such this one, which actually recommends Cyanocobalamin based on the research literature.
http://jacknorrisrd.com/what-b12-supplement-should-i-take