Overview
Are you getting enough B12 from diet alone?
Normally, vitamin B12 is easily attained from foods like fish, meat, poultry, eggs, and milk. But vegetarians or those unable to absorb B12 from food, are likely not getting the amount they need, and may be feeling fatigued.
B12 is integral to health
While vitamin B12 plays a critical role in the process of energy production, it is crucial to homocysteine metabolism and nervous system function, too.
†1,2
Delicious chewable works fast!†
This delicious chewable tablet features the preferred form of B12 - methylcobalamin - that doesn't need to be converted by the body.
† That means it starts working fast, and provides real energy support you will notice right away.
†
1. Vitamin B12. In: PDR for Nutritional Supplements. Hendler SS , Rorvik D, ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 2001:477.
2. Spence JD. Homocysteine-lowering therapy: a role in stroke prevention? Lancet Neurol. 2007;6(9):830-8.
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Technical Data
Description
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin. It is necessary for maintaining the integrity of the nervous system and in the production of energy.
† 1 The metabolism of vitamin B12 and folate are closely linked, as vitamin B12 functions as a co-factor in folate formation in the body.
†2 The primary form of vitamin B12 used in supplements is cyanocobalamin. This form must be converted by the body to the active form of B12, known as methylcobalamin. Because
B12 Infusion utilizes methylcobalamin as the source of vitamin B12, no conversion is necessary.
B12 Infusion features
- Bioactive form of B12 – methylcobalamin
- Flavored chewable tablet
- Ideal for vegetarians
Introduction
The cyanocobalamin form of Vitamin B12 is synthesized exclusively by bacteria or fungi, and is present in nearly all forms of animal tissue (it is acquired indirectly from bacteria).
3 For humans, dietary sources of vitamin B12 include meat, eggs, and dairy products. There are no plant sources for this vitamin.
In the stomach, dietary vitamin B is liberated from food by the action of stomach acid. Once in the intestines, vitamin B12 must bind to a type of protein known as intrinsic factor. This combination is absorbed through ileum cells in the small intestine, entering the blood stream to be taken up by the liver, bone marrow, and other tissues.2 Once absorbed, mammalian cells can convert cyanocobalamin to methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin (also a coenzyme form of B12).2,4 Supplemental vitamin B12 can be given as cyanocobalamin (which must be converted to methylcobalamin) or as the active form of the vitamin – methylcobalamin.
How Does It Work?
Although there have been questions regarding the bioavailability of orally absorbed vitamin B12 supplements, testing of oral methylcobalamin has demonstrated its ability to increase serum levels of vitamin B12, as well as its clinical efficacy.
† 5-7 Functioning as a cofactor for the enzyme methionine synthase, B12 assists in the conversion of total homocysteine (tHcy) to methionine, in the maintenance of the nervous system, and works with folate in the synthesis of DNA and RNA synthesis.
† Vitamin B12 also is essential in the synthesis of molecules involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and the production of energy.
†1
Clinical trials have documented significant health benefits for this vitamin.†
Heart Health†
There is a strong connection between homocysteine levels and cardiovascular health. Homocysteine levels in the blood are influenced by at least three B vitamins: B6, B12, and folate.† These nutrients work together in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine or cysteine.† Vitamin B12 is an important regulator of this process. Increased intake of vitamin B12 has been associated with reduced homocysteine levels, and may therefore lead to improved heart health.† 8 In a 12-week study, 500 mcg of methylcobalamin (given as an intramuscular injection (IM)), was associated with a 37% reduction of homocysteine levels.† 9 In a separate study, a combination of 500 mcg (IM) of methylcobalamin plus folate induced a 57% homocysteine reduction in three weeks.† 10
Nervous System Health†
Myelin is a fatty substance which covers nerves and nervous system pathways in the brain and spinal cord. Vitamin B12 is a cofactor in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, which is a precursor to S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe).† SAMe, in turn, is involved in the synthesis of myelin basic protein. Therefore, increasing levels of vitamin B12 can lead to increased levels of SAMe, and improved nervous system function.†1
Extremely high doses of methylcobalamin (up to 50 mg/day IM, twice a week) have been used in studies investigating its potential for support of the nervous system.† Additionally, the connection between Vitamin B12, folate, and homocysteine levels has been found to have implications for the nervous system, as well as brain and memory function.† 1,11
The following chart summarizes the benefits of vitamin B12:
| Ingredient | Benefit |
| Vitamin B12 |
Helps maintain healthy homocysteine levels; supports a healthy nervous system; aids in the product of cellular energy† |
Vitamin B12 Intake and Deficiency
The classic disease associated with vitamin B12 deficiency is pernicious anemia. Caused by a lack of intrinsic factor – which is required in order for vitamin B12 to be absorbed in the intestines – pernicious anemia is characterized by fatigue, weakness, sore tongue, and numbness of the hands and feet.2 If left untreated, pernicious anemia can lead to nerve degeneration, and eventual paralysis.2
Although it can occur in children, most cases of pernicious anemia are diagnosed after age 30. A estimated average prevalence of B12 deficiency is approximately 20% (between 5% and 60%, depending on the definition of deficiency used) in the general population of industrialized countries. The most frequent cause of B12 deficiency, particularly in the elderly, is malabsorption from food (60% of all cases), pernicious anemia (15%-20% of all cases), and insufficient dietary intake.15 Poor absorption rates in older adults may be related to decreased production of stomach acid. Stomach acid secretions are necessary in order to release B12 from food proteins. Vitamin B12 deficiency may also be related to a vegetarian diet without B12 supplementation, as this vitamin is not found in non-animal based food sources.1
Conclusion
Vitamin B12 plays a critical role in the process of energy production, homocyteine metabolism, and nervous system function.† Chewable B12 Infusion™ tablets, as an addition to the daily diet, can help increase vitamin B12 levels in the body to aid in promoting heart health, maintaining healthy nervous system function, and increasing energy.†
Recommendations
One tablet daily; chew and dissolve in the mouth before swallowing.
Precautions
If pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs, consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use.
How Is It Supplied?
- 05623; 30 chewable tablets
Storage Recommendations
Store at controlled room temperature, 59° to 86°F (15° – 30°C).
References
- Vitamin B12. In: PDR for Nutritional Supplements. Hendler SS , Rorvik D, ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 2001:477.
- The water-soluble vitamins. In: Wardlaw GM, Insel PM. Perspectives in Nutrition. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 1993:399-400.
- Weir DG, Scott J. Vitamin B12 “Cobalamin”. In: Shils ME, ed. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 9th ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins; 1999: 447-458.
- Miller AL, Kelly GS. Homocysteine metabolism: nutritional modulation and impact on health and disease. In: Pizzorno JE, Murray MT, ed. Textbook of Natural Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Penn: Churchill Livingstone; 1993:464.
- Yazaki Y, Chow G, Mattie M. A single-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled study to evaluate the relative efficacy of sublingual and oral vitamin B-complex administration in reducing total serum homocysteine levels. J Altern Complement Med. 2006;12(9):881-5.
- Sharabi A, Cohen E, Sulkes G, Garty M. Replacement therapy for vitamin B12 deficiency: comparison between the sublingual and oral route. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2003;56(6):635-8.
- Oh R, Brown DL. Vitamin B12 deficiency. Am Fam Physician. 2003;67(5):979-86.
- Spence JD. Homocysteine-lowering therapy: a role in stroke prevention? Lancet Neurol. 2007;6(9):830-8.
- Gu WJ, Lu JM, Yang GQ, et al. Effects of intervention therapy of methylcobalamin and folic acid on plasma homocysteine concentration and homocysteine thiolactonase/paraoxonase activity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2007;87(4):256-8.
- Koyama K, Usami T, Takeuchi O, Morozumi K, Kimura G. Efficacy of methylcobalamin on lowering total homocysteine plasma concentrations in haemodialysis patients receiving high-dose folic acid supplementation. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2002;17(5):916-22.
- Miller A, Korem M, Almog R, Galboiz Y. Vitamin B12, demyelination, remyelination and repair in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Sci. 2005;233(1-2):93-7.
- Izumi Y, Kaji R. Clinical trials of ultra-high-dose methylcobalamin in ALS. Brain Nerve. 2007;59(10):1141-7.
- Quadri P, Fragiacomo C, Pezzati R, et al. Homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B-12 in mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer disease, and vascular dementia. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;80(1):114-22.
- Quadri P, Fragiacomo C, Pezzati R, Zanda E, Tettamanti M, Lucca U. Homocysteine and B vitamins in mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2005;43(10):1096-100.
- Andrès E, Loukili NH, Noel E, et al. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency in elderly patients. CMAJ. 2004 Aug 3;171(3):251-9.