Methyl-B12 Can Improve Alertness and Concentration

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Methyl-B12 Can Improve Alertness and Concentration JoAnn Guest Jan 15, 2005

21:04 PST

www.doctormurray.com

 

Vitamin B12 was isolated from a liver extract in 1948 and identified as

the nutritional factor in liver which prevented pernicious anemia - a

deadly type of anemia characterized by large, immature red blood cells.

Vitamin B12 works with folic acid in many body processes including the

synthesis of DNA, red blood cells, and the insulation sheath (the myelin

sheath) that surrounds nerve cells and speeds the conduction of the

signals along nerve cells.

 

Vitamin B12 deficiency is most often due to a " defect " in 'absorption',

not a " dietary lack " .

 

In order for vitamin B12 from food to be absorbed, it must be

'liberated' from food by hydrochloric acid and bound to a substance

known as " intrinsic factor " within the small intestine.

 

Intrinsic factor is secreted by the parietal cells of the stomach.

 

These same cells are responsible for the secretion of hydrochloric

acid. Hence, the secretion of intrinsic factor parallels that of

hydrochloric acid.

 

The B12-intrinsic factor complex is absorbed in the small intestine with

the aid of the pancreatic enzyme " trypsin " .

 

In order for vitamin B12 to be absorbed, an individual must secrete

enough hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor and adequate pancreatic

enzymes, including trypsin,

and have a healthy and intact ileum (the end portion of the small

intestine, where the vitamin B12-intrinsic factor complex is absorbed).

 

Lack of intrinsic factor results in a condition known as pernicious

anemia. The defect is rare before the age of thirty-five, and it is more

common in individuals of Scandinavian, English, and Irish descent. It is

much less common in southern Europeans, Asians, and Blacks.

 

Vitamin B12 is available in several forms. The most common form is

cyanocobalamin, however, vitamin B12 is most active in the form of

methylcobalamin. This form is the best to use.

 

B12 Deficiency

 

Unlike other water-soluble nutrients, vitamin B12 is stored in the

liver, kidney, and other body tissues. As a result, signs and symptoms

of vitamin B12 deficiency may not show themselves until after five or

six years of deficient intake or lack of intrinsic factor.

 

While anemia is most often thought of as the primary sign of vitamin B12

deficiency, it appears that a deficiency of vitamin B12 will actually

first affect the brain and nervous system.

 

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause depression, especially in the elderly.

It can also produce such symptoms as numbness, pins and needles

sensations, or a burning feeling in the feet as well as impaired mental

function that in the elderly can mimic Alzheimer's disease.

 

In addition to anemia and nervous system symptoms, a vitamin B12

deficiency will also result in a smooth, beefy red tongue; and diarrhea

due to the fact that rapidly reproducing cells such as those which line

the mouth and entire gastrointestinal tract will not be able to

replicate without vitamin B12 (folic acid supplementation will mask this

deficiency symptom).

 

Correcting Low B12 Levels Improves Mental Performance

 

Although it is popular to inject vitamin B12 in the treatment of anemia

and B12 deficiency, injection is not required as the oral administration

of an appropriate dosage has been shown to produce as good of results as

injectable preparations in treating vitamin B12 deficiency.

 

The most common forms are cyanocobalamin and hydroxycobalamin, however,

vitamin B12 is active in only two forms - methylcobalamin and

adenosylcobalamin.

 

These later forms are active immediately upon absorption, while

cyanocobalamin and hydroxycobalamin must be converted to either

methylcobalamin or adenosylcobalamin by the body.

 

Methylcobalamin is preferred over adenosylcobalamin as 90% of the body's

active B12 is in this form and methycobalamin is easily converted to

adenosylcobalamin.

 

To highlight the superiority of methylcobalamin, let's take a look at

one study specifically evaluating the effects of methylcobalamin versus

cyanocobalamin on circadian rhythms, well-being, alertness, and

concentration in healthy subjects.

 

The twenty subjects (mean age 36 years) were randomly assigned to

treatment for 14 days with 3 mg cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin after

9 days. The results indicated a significant advantage for

methylcobalamin.

 

Methylcobalamin supplementation led to a significantly improved sleep

quality, shorter sleep cycles, increased feelings of alertness, better

concentration, and a feeling of waking up refreshed in the morning.

 

Some of the interesting findings included the fact that methylcobalamin

was significantly more effective even though blood levels of cobalamin

increased more significantly in the cyanocobalamin than the

methylcobalamin group. Clearly, this finding indicates that

methycobalamin is much more biologically active than cyanocobalamin.

 

Methylcobalamin has also shown to help some people suffering from what

is referred to as sleep-wake disorder. This disorder is characterized by

excessive daytime sleepiness, restless nights, and frequent nighttime

awakenings. It is very common in shift workers.

 

In people with sleep wake disorders, taking methylcobalamin (1.5 to 3 mg

daily) has often led to improved sleep quality, increased day time

alertness and concentration, and improved mood. Much of the benefit

appears to be a result of methylcobalamin influencing melatonin

secretion.

 

The low levels of melatonin in the elderly may be a result of low

vitamin B12 status. However, benefit may also be a result of unmasking

low brain levels of methylcobalamin. A low level of methylcobalamin is

one of the most common nutrient deficiencies, especially in the elderly.

 

 

In people with low levels of B12, supplementation is very effective in

improving mental function as well. In one large double-blind study, a

complete recovery was observed in 61% of cases of these patients

exhibiting significant mental impairment.

 

It was thought the reason why the remaining 39% did not respond was due

to irreversible damage to the brain as a result of long-term low levels

of vitamin B12.

 

Several studies have shown the best clinical responders are those who

have been showing signs of impaired mental function for less than 6

months.

 

Usual Dosage:

 

In the treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency with oral preparations the

recommended dosage is 2,000 mcg (2 mg) daily for at least one month

followed by a daily intake of 1,000 mcg (1 mg).

 

For the applications of methylcobalamin discussed in this newsletter, I

would recommend 3 mg upon awakening for one month followed by a

maintenance dosage of 1 mg per day.

 

Key References:

 

Mayer G, Kroger M and Meier-Ewert K: Effects of vitamin B12 on

performance and circadian rhythm in normal subjects.

Neuropsychopharmacol 15:456-64, 1996.

Hashimoto S, Kohsaka M, Morita N, et al. Vitamin B12 enhances the

phase-response of circadian melatonin rhythm to a single bright light

exposure in humans. Neurosci Lett 1996;220:129-32.

Honma K, Kohsaka M, Fukuda N, Morita N, Honma S. Effects of vitamin B12

on plasma melatonin rhythm in humans: increased light sensitivity

phase-advances the circadian clock? Experientia 1992;48:716-20.

van Goor L, Woiski MD, Lagaay AM, Meinders AE, Tak PP. Review: Cobalamin

deficiency and mental impairment in elderly people. Age Ageing

24:536-42, 1995.

 

 

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JoAnn Guest

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DietaryTi-

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