LET'S TAKE A COUPLE OF QUICK MINUTES HERE
AND TALK ABOUT A TOPIC THAT IS VERY UPSETTING TO ME
AND ONE THAT YOU SHOULD BE WELL AWARE OF.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S A 95 PLUS PERCENT CHANCE THAT THE VITAMINS YOU'RE CURRENTLY TAKING ARE HARMING YOU.
AND I SAY THAT AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND ,
BECAUSE MORE THAN 95% OF THE VITAMINS THAT ARE SOLD TODAY ARE SYNTHETIC .
THEY'RE MANUFACTURED WITH CHEMICALS IN A LAB.
NOW I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING.
"OH.NO.I TAKE A REALLY GOOD ONE" AND
"MY DOCTOR EVEN SUGGESTED I TAKE IT.
WELL, LET ME JUST STOP YOU THERE,
BECAUSE IF YOUR DOCTOR SUGGESTED YOU TAKE IT, UNLESS THAT DOCTOR IS SOME SORT OF A NATURAL PRACTITIONER, THERE'S A VERY HIGH PROBABILITY THAT THAT IS A SYNTHETIC 'VITAMIN'.
NOW, EVEN YOUR TOP BRANDS, LIKE CENTRUM, ONE A DAY, JUST ABOUT ALL THE VITAMINS SOLD AT THE GROCERY STORE, YOUR LOCAL GNC, EVEN NATURE MADE, FOLKS. NATURE MADE SELLS SYNTHETIC VITAMINS. YOU CAN GO RIGHT ON THEIR WEBSITES.
SO THE SYNTHETIC FORM OF VITAMIN B12 IS CALLED CYANOCOBALAMIN . IT ACTUALLY HAS CYANIDE IN IT, [YES, THE TOXIC SUBSTANCE, CYANIDE], THAT THEN HAS TO BE REMOVED BY YOUR LIVER.
BUT CYANOCOBALAMIN IS THE SYNTHETIC FORM OF VITAMIN B12.
METHYLCOBALAMIN IS THE ALL NATURAL FORM OF VITAMIN B12.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO AND LOOK AT CENTRUM, ONE A DAY, NATURE MADE, GNC PRODUCTS AND SEE IF YOU SEE THE CYANOCOBALAMIN OR THE METHYLCOBALAMIN. BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO FIND. WE DID THE RESEARCH.
WE LOOKED THIS UP ONLINE, AND WE HAVE BEEN IN THE STORES. IT IS SYNTHETIC.
THESE COMPANIES ARE OWNED BY THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES.
I MEAN, NATURE MADE IS OWNED BY OTSUKA.
CENTRUM IS OWNED BY PFIZER.
ONE A DAY BRAND IS OWNED BY BAYER.
AND THEY USE SYNTHETIC VITAMINS.
SYNTHETIC VITAMINS ARE VERY HARMFUL TO YOUR BODY SYSTEM, AND THER'S LOTS OF REASONS.
AND I COULD GO INTO ALL THE SCIENCE.
I MEAN, WELL, YOU CAN GOOGLE SEARCH IT FOR YOURSELF, BUT I CAN TELL YOU EVEN SOMETHING AS SIMPLE IS SYNTHETIC CALCIUM HAS BEEN PROVEN TO INCREASE YOUR RISK OF HEART ATTACK AND STROKE BY AS MUCH AS 30% .
I MEAN, THESE ARE STAGGERING NUMBERS . AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE MEDIA LUMPS ALL SUPPLEMENTS TOGETHER. THEY DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ALL-NATURAL AND A SYNTHETIC.
SO WHY, WHY WOULD SOMEONE USE SYNTHETIC 'VITAMINS' INSTEAD OF NATURAL IF SYNTHETIC SO BAD FOR YOU? WELL, I AM PRETTY SURE YOU KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT BEFORE I EVEN SAY IT.
FIRST OF ALL, CYANOCOBALAMIN, THE SYNTHETIC FORM OF VITAMIN B12, IS ONE HUNDRED TIMES CHEAPER THAN THE METHYLCOBALAMIN, THE ALL-NATURAL B12. SO NOT ONLY IT IS CHEAPER, BUT THESE SYNTHETIC 'VITAMINS' HAVE A FAR FAR LONGER SHELF LIFE.
SO THAT JUST DOESN'T MEAN THE SUPPLEMENTS THAT ARE SITTING ON THE SHELF IN THE LOCAL GROCERY STORE OR, YOU KNOW, YOUR HEALTH FOOD VITAMIN SHOP. NOT JUST THE SUPPLEMENTS THAT NEED A LONGER SHELF LIFE.
BUT HOW ABOUT ALL THE FOOD THAT WE EAT THAT IS BEING FORTIFIED WITH VITAMIN B AND FORTIFIED WITH CALCIUM? WELL, ALL OF THOSE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SIT ON THE SHELF FOR A VERY LONG PERIOD OF TIME BECAUSE IT MIGHT TAKE A WHILE BEFORE YOU GET TO BUY THAT BOX OF CEREAL OR BUY THAT LOAF OF BREAD , OR BUY THOSE CHIPS OR BUY THOSE CRACKERS. AND WHO ARE YOU PROBABLY FEEDING THAT STUFF TO? YOUR KIDDOS, YOUR BABIES. IT'S GOT SYNTHETIC VITAMINS IN THERE.
SO PLEASE, DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR. BECOME EDUCATED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF VITAMINS BECAUSE THERE IS A TRUE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALL-NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC.
AND THE SYNTHETIC VERSION IS REALLY CREATING A TOXIC OVERLOAD ON YOUR BODY SYSTEMS AND IF IT'S CREATING A TOXIC OVERLOAD ON YOUR SYSTEM, JUST THINK WHAT IT IS DOING TO YOUR KIDS.
FIND A VERY GOOD, HIGH-QUALITY ALL-NATURAL SUPPLEMENT THAT CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE AND HOW YOU FEEL ON A DAILY BASIS.
YOU JUST READ THE TRANSCRIPT FROM HEALTH HACK FOR BUSY PEOPLE.
What Is Methylcobalamin?
Methylcobalamin circulates through the bloodstream and is one of two naturally-occurring coenzyme forms of vitamin B12 that the body utilizes. Adenosylcobalamin is the other form sometimes used in the dietary supplement industry. The body needs B12 to convert homocysteine to methionine, protect DNA and RNA, support energy, protect nerve and brain cells, stimulate serotonin production, contribute to red blood cell formation, support immune function, and maintain a positive mood.
References (3)
Have you supplemented with methylcobalamin? How did it go? Share your thoughts and comments below.
Vitamin B-12 warning: Avoid cyanocobalamin, take only methylcobalamin
(NaturalNews) One of the pitfalls of pursuing a healthy diet is that we are sometimes blind to nutrients we may be missing. And in the world of healthy eating, one of the most common nutrient deficiencies involves vitamin B-12, a crucial nutrient for nerve health and the construction of red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body.
Vitamin B-12 deficiency is especially common among vegetarians and vegans, but it's also surprisingly common in meat eaters, too. Why? Because vitamin B-12 can only be absorbed in the small intestine, and due to common intestinal ailments, even many meat eaters who consume high levels of B-12 are unable to absorb it in their gut.
This leads to a series of seemingly "mystery" health symptoms that actually have a simple common cause: Vitamin B-12 deficiency!
Here are some of the most common symptoms of deficiency (do you experience any of these?):
* Chest pain or shortness of breath
* Fatigue or unexplained weakness
* Dizziness, trouble with balance, and fainting
* Confusion, memory loss or dementia
* Coldness, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
* Slow reflexes or diminished nervous system function
* Pale skin or yellowing of the skin
* Sore mouth and tongue
... in addition, vitamin B-12 deficiency can actually cause brain shrinkage, according to a University of Oxford study (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7595423.st...). Although more work needs to be done, research is already suggesting a link between vitamin B-12 deficiency and Alzheimer's.
If you (or someone you know) shows any of the symptoms listed above, I urge you to immediately investigate vitamin B-12 and determine if a deficiency in this nutrient may be causing your symptoms!
Again, vitamin B-12 deficiency is especially common in vegans and vegetarians because typical vitamin B-12 sources (meats, yogurt, etc.) are simply not present in their diets. But even meat eaters can be deficient in B-12 due to poor digestion. This is especially true for older people who suffer a diminished ability to absorb nutrients in their small intestine.
In addition, diabetes medications and even pain pills can interfere with B-12 absorption, and intestinal parasites can also strongly block its absorption in the gut.
Instead, most people supplement their vitamin B-12 using nutritional supplements. But here's where this can go wrong: The most commonly available form of vitamin B-12 on the market is the cheap synthetic form that's actually bound to a cyanide molecule (yes, cyanide, the poison). It's called cyanocobalamin, and you'll find it in all the cheap vitamins made by pharmaceutical companies and sold at grocery stores and big box stores.
Action item: If you have any vitamin B-12 supplements, check the ingredients label right now to see what form of vitamin B-12 they contain. If they contain cyanocobalamin, throw them out!
Cyanocobalamin is a cheap, synthetic chemical made in a laboratory. It's virtually impossible for you to find this form in nature. Low-end vitamin manufacturers use it because it can be bought in bulk and added to products with claims that they "contain vitamin B-12!" What they don't tell you is that the vitamin is bound to a toxic, poisonous cyanide molecule that must then be removed from your body by your liver. Cyanocobalamin is also up to 100 times cheaper than the higher quality methylcobalamin which we'll talk about below.
As Wikipedia explains: "A common synthetic form of the vitamin, cyanocobalamin, does not occur in nature, but is used in many pharmaceuticals and supplements, and as a food additive, because of its lower cost. In the body it is converted to the physiological forms, methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin, leaving behind the cyanide..." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B12)
Removing the cyanide molecule from the vitamin and then flushing it out of your body requires using up so-called "methyl groups" of molecules in your body that are needed to fight things like homocysteine (high levels cause heart disease). By taking low-quality cyanobalamin, you're actually stealing methyl groups from your body and making it do more work at the biochemical level. This uses up substances such as glutathione that are often in short supply anyway, potentially worsening your overall health situation rather than helping it. This is one of the reasons why low-grade vitamins may actually be worse for your body than taking nothing at all!
Cyanocobalamin, in summary, is a low-grade, low-quality and slightly toxic (cyanide) form of vitamin B-12 that's used by all the cheap vitamin manufacturers. I recommend avoiding it completely. It won't kill you to take it, of course, but there's a better solution for B-12.
* Increased absorption
* Better retention in tissues
* Contains no toxic cyanide
* Supports production of SAMe
As explained by Ed Sharpe:
"The coenzyme form of vitamin B12 is known as methylcobalamin or methyl B12. It's the only form of vitamin B12 which can directly participate in homocysteine metabolism. In addition, converting homocysteine to methionine via methyl B12 generates an increased supply of SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine), the body's most important methyl donor." (http://www.health101.org/art_methylcobalamin...)
Every informed nutritionist knows that methylcobalamin is far superior to cyanocobalamin. That's why companies like Ola Loa (www.DrinkYourVitamins.com) use only the high-end "methyl" form of B-12.
There are really only three methods for absorbing vitamin B-12 that reliably work:
#1) B-12 injections.
#2) Sublingual absorption.
#3) Skin absorption.
B-12 injections obviously require injections from a trained medical professional, so few people pursue this route. Sublingual absorption is a viable route, but nearly all the sublingual B-12 products use the cyanocobalamin form of the vitamin (with the cyanide molecule).
A vitamin B-12 skin patch is now available that delivers methylcobalamin through the skin, using a small medical-grade patch placed behind the ear. Each patch delivers 1000 mcg of methylcobalamin (1,666% DV) in a steady release over a 1-2 day period, after which the patch may be removed and discarded.
In addition to methylcobalamin, each path also delivers 400mcg of Folic Acid (another form of a B vitamin), which is widely known to work synergistically with methylcobalamin to help support healthy heart function and nervous system function*.
When purchased in a 3-pack (total of 24 patches), the price is lowered even more to 57% off the list price.
Click here to see the products in our store.
* These products are not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent or cure any disease.
"B12 is running low in my family tree. A couple of relatives have been regular at getting B12 shots. I never felt like I needed the shots, because I thought I could get by with red meat, liver and sublingual pills. I decided to try the patches just to see... I did not expect them to be more effective than sublingual pills.
I must say I was wrong. From the first patch I noticed the boost, which is at first more subtle than the more noticeable boost of the sublingual pills giving you more B12 in a shorter time span. But it picks up over time and feels way more efficient. By way of example, I used the big plate in my road bike and did not pant at the top of three bad climbs hours after getting the patch. To get this kind of effect with sublingual pills after getting low of B12 would take over ten days for me and quite a bit of dedication remembering to keep supplementing. It can get rather tedious waiting for the pills to dissolve under the tongue.
The second day I used two patches right behind the ear, but they both fell off, presumably from the sweat biking. Yet the day before the one patch I tried less close to the ear stayed put biking and after two showers, and I had no dropped patches since. If you exercise, watch out for areas where sweat would accumulate.
I think there is no comparison between this brand and the other one advertised. For four bucks more, you get half the patches and the wrong type of B12 -- cyanocobalamin instead of methylcobalamin. Read about it because cyanocobalamin has to be turned into methylcobalamin by the liver. You can spare that. My doctor put me on cyanocobalamin initially and I turned to methylcobalamin with much greater results. Also, this brand I review has the daily allowance of folic acid as an added bonus (read up on the benefits of taking folic acid with B12), rather than selenium.
I've had no side effects and no skin reactions with this product. I am so satisfied I have ordered a B-complex as a patch from a different company. It is advised to have a B-complex if you supplement in big doses with any vitamin of the B family."
Click here to get these vitamin B-12 patches.
They're on sale now at an incredible price through the NaturalNews Store.
Whatever form of vitamin B-12 you use, remember this: avoid cyanocobalamin! (Unless you enjoy eating cyanide, that is...)
Additional sources for this story include:
http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.ph...
Ting R, Szeto C, Chan M, Ma K, Chow K (2006). "Risk factors of vitamin B(12) deficiency in patients receiving metformin". Arch Intern Med 166 (18): 1975–9
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abs...
AND TALK ABOUT A TOPIC THAT IS VERY UPSETTING TO ME
AND ONE THAT YOU SHOULD BE WELL AWARE OF.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S A 95 PLUS PERCENT CHANCE THAT THE VITAMINS YOU'RE CURRENTLY TAKING ARE HARMING YOU.
AND I SAY THAT AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND ,
BECAUSE MORE THAN 95% OF THE VITAMINS THAT ARE SOLD TODAY ARE SYNTHETIC .
THEY'RE MANUFACTURED WITH CHEMICALS IN A LAB.
NOW I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING.
"OH.NO.I TAKE A REALLY GOOD ONE" AND
"MY DOCTOR EVEN SUGGESTED I TAKE IT.
WELL, LET ME JUST STOP YOU THERE,
BECAUSE IF YOUR DOCTOR SUGGESTED YOU TAKE IT, UNLESS THAT DOCTOR IS SOME SORT OF A NATURAL PRACTITIONER, THERE'S A VERY HIGH PROBABILITY THAT THAT IS A SYNTHETIC 'VITAMIN'.
NOW, EVEN YOUR TOP BRANDS, LIKE CENTRUM, ONE A DAY, JUST ABOUT ALL THE VITAMINS SOLD AT THE GROCERY STORE, YOUR LOCAL GNC, EVEN NATURE MADE, FOLKS. NATURE MADE SELLS SYNTHETIC VITAMINS. YOU CAN GO RIGHT ON THEIR WEBSITES.
SO THE SYNTHETIC FORM OF VITAMIN B12 IS CALLED CYANOCOBALAMIN . IT ACTUALLY HAS CYANIDE IN IT, [YES, THE TOXIC SUBSTANCE, CYANIDE], THAT THEN HAS TO BE REMOVED BY YOUR LIVER.
BUT CYANOCOBALAMIN IS THE SYNTHETIC FORM OF VITAMIN B12.
METHYLCOBALAMIN IS THE ALL NATURAL FORM OF VITAMIN B12.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO AND LOOK AT CENTRUM, ONE A DAY, NATURE MADE, GNC PRODUCTS AND SEE IF YOU SEE THE CYANOCOBALAMIN OR THE METHYLCOBALAMIN. BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO FIND. WE DID THE RESEARCH.
WE LOOKED THIS UP ONLINE, AND WE HAVE BEEN IN THE STORES. IT IS SYNTHETIC.
THESE COMPANIES ARE OWNED BY THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES.
I MEAN, NATURE MADE IS OWNED BY OTSUKA.
CENTRUM IS OWNED BY PFIZER.
ONE A DAY BRAND IS OWNED BY BAYER.
AND THEY USE SYNTHETIC VITAMINS.
SYNTHETIC VITAMINS ARE VERY HARMFUL TO YOUR BODY SYSTEM, AND THER'S LOTS OF REASONS.
AND I COULD GO INTO ALL THE SCIENCE.
I MEAN, WELL, YOU CAN GOOGLE SEARCH IT FOR YOURSELF, BUT I CAN TELL YOU EVEN SOMETHING AS SIMPLE IS SYNTHETIC CALCIUM HAS BEEN PROVEN TO INCREASE YOUR RISK OF HEART ATTACK AND STROKE BY AS MUCH AS 30% .
I MEAN, THESE ARE STAGGERING NUMBERS . AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE MEDIA LUMPS ALL SUPPLEMENTS TOGETHER. THEY DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ALL-NATURAL AND A SYNTHETIC.
SO WHY, WHY WOULD SOMEONE USE SYNTHETIC 'VITAMINS' INSTEAD OF NATURAL IF SYNTHETIC SO BAD FOR YOU? WELL, I AM PRETTY SURE YOU KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT BEFORE I EVEN SAY IT.
FIRST OF ALL, CYANOCOBALAMIN, THE SYNTHETIC FORM OF VITAMIN B12, IS ONE HUNDRED TIMES CHEAPER THAN THE METHYLCOBALAMIN, THE ALL-NATURAL B12. SO NOT ONLY IT IS CHEAPER, BUT THESE SYNTHETIC 'VITAMINS' HAVE A FAR FAR LONGER SHELF LIFE.
SO THAT JUST DOESN'T MEAN THE SUPPLEMENTS THAT ARE SITTING ON THE SHELF IN THE LOCAL GROCERY STORE OR, YOU KNOW, YOUR HEALTH FOOD VITAMIN SHOP. NOT JUST THE SUPPLEMENTS THAT NEED A LONGER SHELF LIFE.
BUT HOW ABOUT ALL THE FOOD THAT WE EAT THAT IS BEING FORTIFIED WITH VITAMIN B AND FORTIFIED WITH CALCIUM? WELL, ALL OF THOSE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SIT ON THE SHELF FOR A VERY LONG PERIOD OF TIME BECAUSE IT MIGHT TAKE A WHILE BEFORE YOU GET TO BUY THAT BOX OF CEREAL OR BUY THAT LOAF OF BREAD , OR BUY THOSE CHIPS OR BUY THOSE CRACKERS. AND WHO ARE YOU PROBABLY FEEDING THAT STUFF TO? YOUR KIDDOS, YOUR BABIES. IT'S GOT SYNTHETIC VITAMINS IN THERE.
SO PLEASE, DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR. BECOME EDUCATED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF VITAMINS BECAUSE THERE IS A TRUE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALL-NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC.
AND THE SYNTHETIC VERSION IS REALLY CREATING A TOXIC OVERLOAD ON YOUR BODY SYSTEMS AND IF IT'S CREATING A TOXIC OVERLOAD ON YOUR SYSTEM, JUST THINK WHAT IT IS DOING TO YOUR KIDS.
FIND A VERY GOOD, HIGH-QUALITY ALL-NATURAL SUPPLEMENT THAT CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE AND HOW YOU FEEL ON A DAILY BASIS.
YOU JUST READ THE TRANSCRIPT FROM HEALTH HACK FOR BUSY PEOPLE.
What Is Methylcobalamin?
Methylcobalamin circulates through the bloodstream and is one of two naturally-occurring coenzyme forms of vitamin B12 that the body utilizes. Adenosylcobalamin is the other form sometimes used in the dietary supplement industry. The body needs B12 to convert homocysteine to methionine, protect DNA and RNA, support energy, protect nerve and brain cells, stimulate serotonin production, contribute to red blood cell formation, support immune function, and maintain a positive mood.
What’s So Great about Methylcobalamin?
Hydroxocobalamin is the main B12 form found in meat, fish, and dairy products. Cyanocobalamin is a common but synthetic B12 that is often added to foods, and the body must use precious energy to convert this form into methylcobalamin. This B12 form has a higher stability and bioavailability and doesn’t require conversion. These next 4 facts will explain the benefits of methylcobalamin.1. Increases Available Physical Energy
Every chemical reaction in the body expends energy. When the body needs to convert a vitamin into a form the body can use, this reaction also requires energy. For example, supplementing with the cyanocobalamin form of B12 requires the body to expend energy that removes the cyanide molecule and replaces it with a methyl group. Taking methylcobalamin as a B12 supplement eliminates the need for this extra chemical reaction.2. Encourages Detox
Methyl groups activate hundreds of chemical reactions throughout the body. One such process includes triggering detox reactions. This includes the removal of heavy metals, environmental toxins, and waste products.3. Supports Brain and Nerve Health
Methylcobalamin is the only form of B12 that can cross the blood-brain barrier without assistance or conversion. Its methyl group stimulates serotonin creation, a neurotransmitter responsible for mood support. It also works directly on brain cells to protect against damage from excitotoxins. [1] Researchers have found large doses of methylcobalamin may offer therapeutic value for those suffering from ALS and multiple sclerosis. [2] [3] This is the only form of B12 that acts on the nervous system.4. Neutralizes Homocysteine
High homocysteine levels is undesirable and known to be an indicator of heart disease and stroke risk. Free homocysteine in the blood causes sclerosis of the arteries, putting strain on the vascular system and the heart. One of the primary reactions of methylcobalamin is to convert homocysteine to methionine, reducing the potential for damage. Outcomes from this reaction include the formation of cysteine, a precursor to the super-antioxidant glutathione. Methionine also contributes to the formation of adenosylcobalamin, the other form of B12 used by the body in mitochondrial energy creation, the foundation for all human energy.Supplementing with Methylcobalamin
Methylcobalamin supplementation has exploded in popularity. It’s the most functional B12 supplement because it’s already in bioavailable form, the body does not need to convert it. This offers a huge advantage over other types of vitamin B12. Sublingual supplementation of methylcobalamin is one of the most common ways it’s taken because of the quick absorption. When you’re deciding on a B12 supplement, find one that combines both methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin. I developed a formula called VeganSafe™ B-12, which not only offers both of these forms of B12, but is also vegan friendly and produced in the USA. It truly is the best quality B12 supplement available and we’ve gotten incredible feedback from our customers who’ve tried it.References (3)
- Kikuchi M, Kashii S, Honda Y, et al. Protective effects of methylcobalamin, a vitamin B12 analog, against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in retinal cell culture. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1997 Apr;38(5): 848-54.
- Izumi Y1, Kaji R. Vitamin B12 metabolism and massive-dose methyl vitamin B12 therapy in Japanese patients with multiple sclerosis. Intern Med. 1994 Feb;33(2):82-6.
Have you supplemented with methylcobalamin? How did it go? Share your thoughts and comments below.
Vitamin B-12 warning: Avoid cyanocobalamin, take only methylcobalamin
(NaturalNews) One of the pitfalls of pursuing a healthy diet is that we are sometimes blind to nutrients we may be missing. And in the world of healthy eating, one of the most common nutrient deficiencies involves vitamin B-12, a crucial nutrient for nerve health and the construction of red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body.
Vitamin B-12 deficiency is especially common among vegetarians and vegans, but it's also surprisingly common in meat eaters, too. Why? Because vitamin B-12 can only be absorbed in the small intestine, and due to common intestinal ailments, even many meat eaters who consume high levels of B-12 are unable to absorb it in their gut.
This leads to a series of seemingly "mystery" health symptoms that actually have a simple common cause: Vitamin B-12 deficiency!
Symptoms of B-12 deficiency
B-12 deficiency is shockingly widespread. Studies now show that up to 40% of the population may be deficient in vitamin B-12 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7595423.st...).Here are some of the most common symptoms of deficiency (do you experience any of these?):
* Chest pain or shortness of breath
* Fatigue or unexplained weakness
* Dizziness, trouble with balance, and fainting
* Confusion, memory loss or dementia
* Coldness, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
* Slow reflexes or diminished nervous system function
* Pale skin or yellowing of the skin
* Sore mouth and tongue
... in addition, vitamin B-12 deficiency can actually cause brain shrinkage, according to a University of Oxford study (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7595423.st...). Although more work needs to be done, research is already suggesting a link between vitamin B-12 deficiency and Alzheimer's.
If you (or someone you know) shows any of the symptoms listed above, I urge you to immediately investigate vitamin B-12 and determine if a deficiency in this nutrient may be causing your symptoms!
Again, vitamin B-12 deficiency is especially common in vegans and vegetarians because typical vitamin B-12 sources (meats, yogurt, etc.) are simply not present in their diets. But even meat eaters can be deficient in B-12 due to poor digestion. This is especially true for older people who suffer a diminished ability to absorb nutrients in their small intestine.
In addition, diabetes medications and even pain pills can interfere with B-12 absorption, and intestinal parasites can also strongly block its absorption in the gut.
Solutions for vitamin B-12
Traditionally, people who are deficient in vitamin B-12 have received injections of B-12. This is extremely effective because it bypasses the digestive tract and goes right into the bloodstream. But it has one obvious downside: It requires being injected! So most people aren't interested in this method.Instead, most people supplement their vitamin B-12 using nutritional supplements. But here's where this can go wrong: The most commonly available form of vitamin B-12 on the market is the cheap synthetic form that's actually bound to a cyanide molecule (yes, cyanide, the poison). It's called cyanocobalamin, and you'll find it in all the cheap vitamins made by pharmaceutical companies and sold at grocery stores and big box stores.
Action item: If you have any vitamin B-12 supplements, check the ingredients label right now to see what form of vitamin B-12 they contain. If they contain cyanocobalamin, throw them out!
Cyanocobalamin is a cheap, synthetic chemical made in a laboratory. It's virtually impossible for you to find this form in nature. Low-end vitamin manufacturers use it because it can be bought in bulk and added to products with claims that they "contain vitamin B-12!" What they don't tell you is that the vitamin is bound to a toxic, poisonous cyanide molecule that must then be removed from your body by your liver. Cyanocobalamin is also up to 100 times cheaper than the higher quality methylcobalamin which we'll talk about below.
As Wikipedia explains: "A common synthetic form of the vitamin, cyanocobalamin, does not occur in nature, but is used in many pharmaceuticals and supplements, and as a food additive, because of its lower cost. In the body it is converted to the physiological forms, methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin, leaving behind the cyanide..." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B12)
Removing the cyanide molecule from the vitamin and then flushing it out of your body requires using up so-called "methyl groups" of molecules in your body that are needed to fight things like homocysteine (high levels cause heart disease). By taking low-quality cyanobalamin, you're actually stealing methyl groups from your body and making it do more work at the biochemical level. This uses up substances such as glutathione that are often in short supply anyway, potentially worsening your overall health situation rather than helping it. This is one of the reasons why low-grade vitamins may actually be worse for your body than taking nothing at all!
Cyanocobalamin, in summary, is a low-grade, low-quality and slightly toxic (cyanide) form of vitamin B-12 that's used by all the cheap vitamin manufacturers. I recommend avoiding it completely. It won't kill you to take it, of course, but there's a better solution for B-12.
The better choice: Methylcobalamin
The proper form of vitamin B-12 to supplement is called methylcobalamin. This is the form that exists in nature, and it is pre-methylated, meaning it's ready for your biochemistry to put to immediate use. Methylcobalamin has several key advantages over cyanocobalamin:* Increased absorption
* Better retention in tissues
* Contains no toxic cyanide
* Supports production of SAMe
As explained by Ed Sharpe:
"The coenzyme form of vitamin B12 is known as methylcobalamin or methyl B12. It's the only form of vitamin B12 which can directly participate in homocysteine metabolism. In addition, converting homocysteine to methionine via methyl B12 generates an increased supply of SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine), the body's most important methyl donor." (http://www.health101.org/art_methylcobalamin...)
Every informed nutritionist knows that methylcobalamin is far superior to cyanocobalamin. That's why companies like Ola Loa (www.DrinkYourVitamins.com) use only the high-end "methyl" form of B-12.
Why 99% of vitamin B-12 supplements are wasted
Taking vitamin B-12 as an oral dose is largely a waste of money. As much as 99% of what you swallow is not even absorbed... it's just passed through your body. (http://www.health101.org/art_methylcobalamin...)There are really only three methods for absorbing vitamin B-12 that reliably work:
#1) B-12 injections.
#2) Sublingual absorption.
#3) Skin absorption.
B-12 injections obviously require injections from a trained medical professional, so few people pursue this route. Sublingual absorption is a viable route, but nearly all the sublingual B-12 products use the cyanocobalamin form of the vitamin (with the cyanide molecule).
A vitamin B-12 skin patch is now available that delivers methylcobalamin through the skin, using a small medical-grade patch placed behind the ear. Each patch delivers 1000 mcg of methylcobalamin (1,666% DV) in a steady release over a 1-2 day period, after which the patch may be removed and discarded.
In addition to methylcobalamin, each path also delivers 400mcg of Folic Acid (another form of a B vitamin), which is widely known to work synergistically with methylcobalamin to help support healthy heart function and nervous system function*.
B-12 energy patch works through skin absorption
The B-12 Energy Patch is available now in packs of 8 patches (a 1-2 month supply) from the NaturalNews Store. This 8-pack carries a list price of $39.95, but through our volume purchasing, we are able to offer it to NaturalNews readers at 53% off the list price.When purchased in a 3-pack (total of 24 patches), the price is lowered even more to 57% off the list price.
Click here to see the products in our store.
* These products are not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent or cure any disease.
What customers say about this B-12 patch
(From Amazon.com) For me a much better alternative to effective sublingual pills"B12 is running low in my family tree. A couple of relatives have been regular at getting B12 shots. I never felt like I needed the shots, because I thought I could get by with red meat, liver and sublingual pills. I decided to try the patches just to see... I did not expect them to be more effective than sublingual pills.
I must say I was wrong. From the first patch I noticed the boost, which is at first more subtle than the more noticeable boost of the sublingual pills giving you more B12 in a shorter time span. But it picks up over time and feels way more efficient. By way of example, I used the big plate in my road bike and did not pant at the top of three bad climbs hours after getting the patch. To get this kind of effect with sublingual pills after getting low of B12 would take over ten days for me and quite a bit of dedication remembering to keep supplementing. It can get rather tedious waiting for the pills to dissolve under the tongue.
The second day I used two patches right behind the ear, but they both fell off, presumably from the sweat biking. Yet the day before the one patch I tried less close to the ear stayed put biking and after two showers, and I had no dropped patches since. If you exercise, watch out for areas where sweat would accumulate.
I think there is no comparison between this brand and the other one advertised. For four bucks more, you get half the patches and the wrong type of B12 -- cyanocobalamin instead of methylcobalamin. Read about it because cyanocobalamin has to be turned into methylcobalamin by the liver. You can spare that. My doctor put me on cyanocobalamin initially and I turned to methylcobalamin with much greater results. Also, this brand I review has the daily allowance of folic acid as an added bonus (read up on the benefits of taking folic acid with B12), rather than selenium.
I've had no side effects and no skin reactions with this product. I am so satisfied I have ordered a B-complex as a patch from a different company. It is advised to have a B-complex if you supplement in big doses with any vitamin of the B family."
Click here to get these vitamin B-12 patches.
They're on sale now at an incredible price through the NaturalNews Store.
Whatever form of vitamin B-12 you use, remember this: avoid cyanocobalamin! (Unless you enjoy eating cyanide, that is...)
Additional sources for this story include:
http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.ph...
Ting R, Szeto C, Chan M, Ma K, Chow K (2006). "Risk factors of vitamin B(12) deficiency in patients receiving metformin". Arch Intern Med 166 (18): 1975–9
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abs...
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