Hello,

Am having a difficult time trying to figure out which form of B12 to consume or if it should be a combination; there is some information that stated methylcobalamin is the most active form, then today a website stated that adenosylcobalamin is the form that the liver has the greatest percentage of. There was also mentioned hydroxycobalamin and of course there's cyanacobalamin.

Please respond as to which one to take and if there are certain conditions under which to take one over another. Also, the number of micrograms to take.

Here's a good resource to read on about Vitamin B12

https://www.easy-immune-health.com/vi...-problems.html

Hope this helps.

This article says the best preparation of B12 is methylcobalamine, which is true. The article also says that methylcobalamine is not available in shots which is not true as I have a bottle of it sitting in my refrigerator at this moment. It has been on the market for a long time but most doctors do not prescribe this form and it often has to be special ordered in by the pharmacy.

https://www.easy-immune-health.com/vi...-symptoms.html

I took methylcobalamine shots last fall for unrelenting back pain for which they were highly effective after a whole summer of physical therapy that did only minimal good.

I also had some bad reaction from the shots causing dizziness so I stopped taking it... back continues to remain good though. It seemed that with every shot I gave myself the reaction got worse till I decided to stop. At first I was taking 1000mcg every 3 rd day, then once a week. By the time I weaned down to once a month I could not tolerate it further.

My neighbor who also was taking B12 shots at my recommendation for severe deficiency took cobalamine and she had a similar reaction after a few shots. She was taking them daily as her B12 levels were under 200.

Generally most doctors prescribe one shot on a monthly basis of 1000mcg. Perhaps our frequent dosaging was the issue. I have not been back to my doctor to ask her what she thought.

Since then I have heard that there are some very good high quality sublingual B12 methylcobalamine but I don't have product information for you at this time. Some people have found these sublinguls very effective in the treatment of ADD or ADHD. People who treat this condition with B12 have also been giving the shots subcutaneously, which is a new concept, but apparently effective.

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�Methylcobalamin supporters state its superiority as it is the primary circulatory form and acts as a methyl donor. Adenosylcobalamin, however, accounts for 70% of cobalamin stored in the liver�the major storage site for B12�while methylcobalamin accounts for only 1% to 3%. It is also argued that cyanocobalamin is poorly converted into its active forms and releases cyanide into circulation�neither of these statements is supported by research.

�Since the cyanocobalamin form of B-12 is deeply red colored, easy to crystallize, and is not sensitive to air-oxidation, it is typically used as a form of B-12 for food additives and in many common multivitamins. Research findings have demonstrated that oral cyanocobalamin is safe and easily and rapidly converted to both methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin during absorption and at the target cell, and does reverse B12 deficiency signs and symptoms.

�Oral cyanocobalamin has a long history of use worldwide. In Sweden, oral high-dose cyanocobalamin is the major treatment form for B12 deficiency and maintenance and has gained widespread popularity since its introduction in 1964. More than one million patients and years of data in Sweden support the use of oral cyanocobalamin to correct and prevent B12 deficiency signs and symptoms and it is considered a standard of care for most patients. In virtually every aspect of B12 activity oral cyanocobalamin has demonstrated benefits, including psychological, neurological, and hematological.

�A key function of B12 is its participation in methylation reactions. Foremost of these processes is the reduction of homocysteine. While methylcobalamin does participate in homocysteine reduction, it is secondary in significance to folic acid. Methylcobalamin receives its methyl group from folic acid (methyltetrahydrofolate). The body �recycles� methyl groups and cobalamin. In the homocysteine cycle, as an example, cobalamin donates its methyl group and is then converted back to methylcobalamin, receiving a methyl group from 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate. The primary methyl donor is folic acid along with other methyl donors, whereas cyanocobalamin provides the vitamin B12 component for the cycle. In patients with end stage renal disease�a condition associated with hyperhomocysteinemia�cyanocobalamin was demonstrated to be equipotent in reducing plasma homocysteine levels in a comparison to hydroxycobalamin. In a 2001 study printed in JAMA, Tice et al. reported oral cyanocobalamin to be a cost-effective method of reducing plasma homocysteine levels in multiple population groups.

�B12 deficiency has been associated with alterations in cognition in the elderly. There is a known connection between elevations in homocysteine and age-related cognitive decline. The relationship must certainly include deficiencies of both folic acid and B12. Oral cyanocobalamin is capable of reducing serum methylmalonic acid concentrations�an indication of B12 repletion. Therefore, increasing the intake of B12 as cyanocobalamin may provide protection against cognitive decline in older populations.

�No toxic effects of oral B12 consumption have ever been reported at any level of intake. In a 1991 JAMA report, Hatchcock and Troendle reported no concerns with the oral use of B12. Cyanide release from oral B12 was said to be toxicologically insignificant. The lack of reported B12 toxicity is a testament to the effective and safe use of this oral compound.

Please see an independent article written by Metagenics that markets to health professionals with literature references comparing Cyanocobalamin with Methylcobalamin. I listed some bullets below from this article and other literature that discuss the important functions of Adenosylcobalamin (also called cobamamide/dibencozide) that the body synthesizes from cyanocobalamin or hydroxycobalamin. The body cannot make adenosylcobalamin from methylcobalamin.

Arrowind09,
Some added information regarding the different cobalamins. Would you give me your input based on the above information?
Thank you for your time and help.

Here is another article that suggests the methylcobalamin form of B12 is the better option...

https://www.naturalnews.com/027045_vi...cobalamin.html



I have been getting B12 injections from my dr's office for 6, no 8 months (approx. 1 every 2 weeks). I did not ask what form but it is red in color so I guess it is the cyanocovalamin form. I am happy to say, that according to my blood tests, my B12 levels are now in the "normal" range.
I think I am going to try the methyl. as an oral supplement.

Peace,
viewfromhere

Currently I am taking B12 methyl type in a lipsomal form, oral spray.

I don't know what to tell you, Yama. This has been a contenscious debate between the two for a long time.. and I suppose it all depends on the research you read and who you choose to belief.

The vast majority of naturopathic doctors prescribe the methylcobalamine so I go that way myself... I have read studies in the past at which time I made up my mind.. but I didn't store any of that info, figuring I made up my mind and that is that. I can't keep rehacking things forever.