Description

Methylcobalamin is an active form of Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin). It helps in maintaining overall wellness. The deficiency of these vitamin can cause health issues like anemia, cognitive disorders, irritability and neurological problems. Prolonged deficiency can increase the homocysteine levels & affect cardiovascular health. It is not synthesized by human body. Its deficiency is most commonly observed in elderly and pregnant population (1). The primary dietary sources of Vitamin B12 are animal-source foods. Therefore vegans and vegetarians, are at high risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency as these food groups are absent or low in their diet (3).

Methylcobalamin unlike the other forms of Vitamin B12 can cross the blood brain barrier without any biotransformation. The methyl group stimulates serotonin creation which is a neurotransmitter responsible for mood enhancement and protects the brain from damage against excitotoxins (1).

High levels of homocysteine in plasma is responsible for brain, vascular diseases, stokes risk. It also causes sclerosis in the arteries. Methlcobalamine converts homocysteine to methionine and helps to reduce the damage. It also forms adenosylcobalamine, the other form of vitamin B12 which is required for mitochondrial energy production (1).

Role in diabetic neuropathy

Vitamin B12 can cause by the long term use of metformin. Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with multiple neurological and neurocognitive problems such as peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, dementia, etc. (2).

Nerve health

Methylcobalamin is involved in the production of a compound called myelin. Myeline covers nerve fibers to protect it. Methylcobalamin rejuvenates the damaged neuron. In absence of methylcobalamin, myelin sheath does not form properly which leads to irreversible nerve damage (1).

Cognitive health

Vitamin B12 is involved in numerous functions like neural myelination, synaptogenesis, myelination, and neurotransmitter synthesis. This has an impact on cognitive development and functioning (3).

Acts as Cofactor 

• It acts as a cofactor to two enzymes in the body- methionine synthase and L-methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (4).
• Methionine synthase catalyzes the conversion of homocysteine to the essential amino acid methionine. The role of methionine is very essential and is required for the formation of S-adenosylmethionine, a universal methyl donor for almost 100 different substrates, including DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids (4).
• L-methylmalonyl-CoA mutase converts L-methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA in the metabolism of propionate, a short-chain fatty acid (4).

Pernicious anemia

Due to B12 deficiency, the body cannot synthesize enough healthy red blood cells. The red blood cells cannot divide normally and are too large, due to which RBCs have trouble getting out of the bone marrow. Severe or long-lasting pernicious anemia can affect the heart, brain, and other organs in the body (5).

Methylcobalamin plays an essential role in DNA synthesis, methylation reactions, and maintains genomic stability (3).

The Unived difference

Unived uses the active & potent form of Vitamin B12, Methylcobalamin. It can cross the blood-brain barrier. A lot of energy is required for cyanocobalamin to remove its cyanide group and replaces it with methyl group. Therefore methylcobalamin is the better form.

Evidence-Based or Bust

We use nutrients backed by a significant body of research that is growing each day.

1. Potential Benefits of Methylcobalamin: A Review
   Gupta, J. K., & Sana, Q. S. (2015). Potential benefits of methylcobalamin: A review. Austin J Pharmacol Ther, 3(3), 1076.
2. Vitamin B12 deficiency and diabetic neuropathy in patients taking metformin: a cross-sectional study
   Alvarez, M., Sierra, O. R., Saavedra, G., & Moreno, S. (2019). Vitamin B12 deficiency and diabetic neuropathy in patients taking metformin: a cross-sectional study. Endocrine connections, 8(10), 1324.
3. Vitamin B-12 and Cognition in Children
   Venkatramanan, S., Armata, I. E., Strupp, B. J., & Finkelstein, J. L. (2016). Vitamin B-12 and cognition in children. Advances in nutrition, 7(5), 879-888.
4. Vitamin B-12
   Allen L. H. (2012). Vitamin B-12. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 3(1), 54–55.
5. The metabolic processes of folic acid and Vitamin B12 deficiency
   Mahmood, L. (2014). The metabolic processes of folic acid and Vitamin B12 deficiency. Journal of Health Research and Reviews, 1(1), 5.