General B-12 Facts

• The technical name for B-12 is cobalamin.
• There are four types of cobalamin.
• Cyanocobalamin is synonymous with cobalamin, and is the form found most often in oral supplements.
• Cyanocobalamin is the least effective form of B-12 – cyanocobalamin may actually contribute to B-12 deficiency.
• Hydrocobalamin is the natural form of B-12 found in foods.
• Methylcobalamin is the form of B-12 used in injections.
• The best vitamin B-12 patch we’ve found, Healthy Habits’ Vitamin B-12 Energy Patch, uses methylcobalamin just like injections do to ensure high bio-availability and effectiveness.
• B-12 is a key factor in the body’s use of iron and formation of red blood cells.
• B-12 is essential component ofr the creation and maintenance of the myelin sheath that lines nerve cells.
• In conjunction with pyridoxine (vitamin B6 and folic acid), B-12 reduces harmful homocysteine levels (high homocysteine levels are a huge risk factor for cardiovascular disease).
• Helps metabolize food.
• Helps keep the immune system operating smoothly.

Disease & Injury:

• Prevents megaloblastic anemia.
• Treatment for pernicious anemia.
• Helps regulate homocysteine, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and weak bones.
• Those who have infections, burns, some types of cancer, recent surgery, illnesses that cause decay or loss of strength, or high amounts of stress may need more B-12.
• Other conditions that B-12 may help include: asthma, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries caused by plaque formation in the arteries), bursitis (inflammation of a bodily pouch, especially the shoulder or elbow), Crohn’s disease (chronic recurrent inflammation of the intestines), depression, diabetes, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and vitiligo (milky-white patches on the skin).

Natural Sources:

• Found only in animal source foods.
• Fresh food is best, as freezing and exposure to light can destroy vitamin content.
• The best food sources are clams, beef liver, chicken liver, beef, lamb, tuna, flounder, liverwurst, eggs, and dairy products.
• Some plants may contain B-12, but not in a form that can be used by the human body.

People At Risk Of B-12 Deficiency:

• Vegans & vegetarians.
• Older adults (more likely to have insufficient intrinsic factor available to digest B-12)
• Malabsorptive disease sufferers.
• Those who have had stomach surgery.

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to B-12 may cause swelling, itching and shock.
• Leber’s disease (a hereditary optic nerve atrophy).

Interactions:

• Large amounts of vitamin C taken within an hour of vitamin B-12 supplements will destroy the B-12.
• B-12 absorption may be impaired by deficiencies of folic acid, iron or vitamin E.
• B-12 absorption may be improved by taking it with other B vitamins or calcium.
• B-12 absorption may be impaired or B-12 levels may be depleted by medications such as colchicine, corticosteroids, methotrexate, metformin, phenformin, oral contraceptives, cholestyramine, colestipol, clofibrate, epoetin, neomycin, or supplemental potassium.
• B-12 levels may be depleted by use of nicotine products or excessive alcohol.

YouTube Video Summary:

From illumistreamhealth.com

• How Does The Body Absorb Vitamin B-12?
• Good Newsclip Covering B12 Deficiency Basics