Vitamin B12 part of the Vitamin B complex is considered to be a “Painkilling vitamin”.

It
helps DNA production, cardiovascular support, and Energy metabolism.

Contents [hide]

 Introduction to Vitamin B12

 The Vitamin B12 That I Recommend
 Health Benefits of Vitamin B12
o 1) Vitamin B12 is an Effective Analgesic
o 2) Vitamin B12 is Essential for the Brain
o 3) Vitamin B12 Improves Sleeping Patterns
o 4) Vitamin B12 Reduces Depression
o 5) Vitamin B12 is an Anti-inflammatory
o 6) Vitamin B12 for the Skin
o 7) Vitamin B12 has Positive effects in Pregnancy and Lactation
 Sources of Vitamine B12
 Vitamin B12 Deficiencies
 Technical
 Vitamin B12 on SelfDecode

Introduction to Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 also referred to as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin (R).

It contributes to the successful synthesis of DNA, the normal functioning of the nervous
system, and the production of hemoglobin (R).

The liver is the main site of storage of vitamin B12 in the human body (R). Humans obtain
vitamin B12 through dietary sources, fortified foods, and supplements (R, R1, R2).

It can take the form of cyano-, hydroxyl, methyl, and deoxy adenosyl- cobalamin (R).
Cyanocobalamin, the most stable and unnatural form of vitamin B12, is most commonly
used in supplements and does not have a direct cofactor role in cellular metabolism.

The most biologically significant forms of vitamin B12 are methylcobalamin and
coenzyme B12 (5’-deoxy-5’-adenosylcobalamin) (R1 R2).

Vitamin B12 was considered as the “Painkilling vitamin” in some countries in the 1950’s
(R).

The Vitamin B12 That I Recommend

There are a few forms that people can take, depending on what they’re looking for:

 Methylcobalamin
 Hydroxy B12
 Adenosylcobalamin

Health Benefits of Vitamin B12

1) Vitamin B12 is an Effective Analgesic
Methylcobalamin, a form of Vitamin B12, reduces the clinical symptoms in legs such as
paresthesia (an abnormal sensation like tingling or pricking), burning pains and
spontaneous pain (R).

In one study spontaneous pain, allodynia, paresthesia of patients with neck pain were
improved significantly in the Methylcobalamin group (R).

Intramuscular cobalamin injection is effective in alleviating low back pain in patients with
no nutritional deficiencies (R).

Cobalamin provides effective pain management for mouth ulcers (R).

Methylcobalamin treatment reduces pain symptoms in neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, and

lower back pain (R, R1, R2).

Methylcobalamin improves neuropathic pain (R, R1, R2, R3).

2) Vitamin B12 is Essential for the Brain

Methylcobalamin (MeCbl) is the most effectively taken form of vitamin B12 in neuronal
organelles (R).

Cobalamin may have a role in the prevention of disorders of brain development, mood
disorders, and Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia in elderly (R).

Supplementation of cobalamin is useful in neuronal regeneration. It also repairs the negative

effects of ischemia on neurons (R).

A study on rats with sciatic nerve injury supports the treatment of peripheral nerve injury
with Cobalamin (R).

It also increases regeneration of axons and promotes neuronal repair (R1, R2, R3).

3) Vitamin B12 Improves Sleeping Patterns

Cobalamin treatment improves sleep-wake rhythm disorders in human subjects (R, R1).

It may increase the light sensitivity of circadian rhythms due to decreased melatonin levels
(R).

4) Vitamin B12 Reduces Depression

In a randomized trial performed on patients with depression and low normal cobalamin levels
cobalamin supplementation improved depressive symptoms (R).

5) Vitamin B12 is an Anti-inflammatory

Methyl B12 suppresses cytokine production of T lymphocytes in cells and is speculated to do
the same in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (R).

6) Vitamin B12 for the Skin

Topical cobalamin is a new therapeutic option in atopic dermatitis. It is well-tolerable and has
low safety risks for both adults and children (R, R1).

7) Vitamin B12 has Positive effects in Pregnancy and

Lactation

One randomized clinical trial states that oral cobalamin supplementation with 250 μg/day
throughout pregnancy and early lactation elevates maternal, fetal, and breast milk
vitamin B12 levels (R).