Vitamin B-12 is a cobalt-containing organic molecule that is required by the body for the synthesis of hemoglobin in red blood cells and the prevention of anemia. B12 exists in several forms: Cyanocobalamin is the most common form of Vitamin B12 added to foods or present in nutritional supplements. (Because the major food sources of B12 are meat, eggs, and dairy products, vegetarians and vegans may require either B-12 fortified cereals or nutritional supplements to avoid health problems related to B-12 deficiency). The most prominent biochemical activity of methylcobalamin involves the enzymatic conversion of homocysteine to methionine through an enzyme-mediated transfer of the methyl group of methylcobalamin. Elevated homocysteine levels can cause a number of health problems including increased risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as a heightened risk of bone fractures. In concert with folic acid and vitamin B-6, methylcobalamin contributes to the conversion of homocysteine to cysteine, another important amino acid.

Methylcobalamin is the main form of Vitamin B-12 present in the central nervous system, helping to maintain the integrity of the myelin sheath that covers nerve fibers, and it may even help in the repair of nerve damage. Methylcobalamin can help prevent neurological problems related to vitamin B-12 deficiency, notably peripheral neuropathy and loss of coordination. These symptoms may result from nerve fiber demyelination as well as from neuronal cell death. Yet another role for methylcobalamin is in preventing or treating depression. (Two major epidemiological studies showed a relationship between vitamin B-12 deficiency and depression in elderly individuals. American Journal of Psychiatry 157:715-721, 2000 and 159:2099-2101, 2002).

In addition to the neurological benefits described above, methylcobalamin’s function in the methylation of homocysteine to form methionine may be of particular value in helping to combat autism. S. Jill James of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute and colleagues conducted biochemical comparisons of methylation capacity of healthy and autistic children, and found that autistic children have markedly decreased methylation abilities, as well as lower levels of methionine (among other amino acids). This decreased or impaired methylation capacity may be a contributing factor in both the development and clinical symptoms of autism (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 80:1611-1617, 2004). Supplementation with methylcobalamin may help promote the biosynthesis of methionine, which is incorporated into proteins as well as being involved in other important biosynthetic reactions. Moreover, because B-12 Methylcobalamin Topical Cream is applied to the skin, the common problem of getting autistic children to ingest Vitamin B-12 in oral form is avoided.

Specific examples of the therapeutic uses of topical vitamin B-12 for treating dermatological conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) are present in the scientific literature. In a well-designed, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, topically-applied Vitamin B-12 cream significantly reduced the extent and severity of this skin disorder, possibly via an anti-inflammatory mechanism (British Journal of Dermatology 150:977-983, 2004). In another clinical trial, a topical Vitamin B-12 cream preparation was found to be useful for reducing the symptoms of psoriasis, a skin disorder related to an abnormal immune response (Dermatology 203:141-147, 2001).

B-12 Methylcobalamin Topical Cream may also be applicable for delivering Vitamin B-12 to individuals with various medical conditions such as gastric ulcers and certain other gastric ailments, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, complication with excessive alcohol drinking, or lack an intestinal protein called Intrinsic Factor. This protein is required for Vitamin B-12 absorption in a the ileum of the small intestine. When ingested orally, Vitamin B12 binds to one of two B-12-specific binding proteins in the gastric juices of the stomach. The ileum, being less acidic than the stomach, provides an environment that permits a dissociation of Vitamin B-12 from the binding proteins. It is at this point that Vitamin B-12 binds to Intrinsic Factor. This Vitamin B-12-Intrinsic Factor complex binds to receptors in cells of the ileal mucosa (membranes lining the intestinal tract) prior to circulating through the rest of the body. Persons with low or absent Intrinsic Factor are at risk for developing pernicious anemia (an autoimmune disease), megaloblastic anemia (a form of anemia that is not autoimmune in nature) and other medical conditions related to the inability to absorb Vitamin B-12. Since these persons cannot absorb orally ingested Vitamin B-12 through the intestinal walls of the digestive tract, they need to be given intramuscular injections of Vitamin B-12. B-12 Methylcobalamin Topical Cream may represent a possible alternative or adjunct to Vitamin B-12 shots for these individuals.
In addition to Vitamin B-12 deficiency caused by the inability of the body to absorb this vitamin, there is a remarkably large number of medications that can promote Vitamin B-12 deficiencies. These include stomach acid-reducing drugs, oral antidiabetic drugs, extended-release potassium supplements, and exposure to the gaseous anesthetic nitrous oxide. It is believed that Vitamin B-12 deficiencies caused by exposure to medications such as these may explain the neurological and psychiatric side effects observed in individuals taking these drugs. Persons taking these medications may benefit from the use of B-12 Methylcobalamin Topical Cream.

Although outright Vitamin B-12 deficiency is relatively rare in young persons, it is markedly more common in older people. It is estimated that 10-30 percent of the older adult population is deficient in this vitamin, for reasons ranging from physiological changes to medical conditions to the increased use of specific medications that adversely affect Vitamin B-12 uptake, as well as decreased stomach acid secretion with age.Thus, elderly individuals may recognize health benefits from the routine use of B-12 Methylcobalamin Topical Cream.

Summary Deficiency Symptoms

• Mental Problems
• Depression
• Apathy
• Paranoia
• Memory loss
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Pallor
• Infertility
• Nervous System Degeneration
• Lower Back Pain
• Reduced Reflexes and Sensory Perception
  
• Tingling In the Fingers and Toes
  
• Abnormal Nucleic Acid Synthesis
• Abnormal Carbohydrate Metabolism
• Changes Of Temperature In Different Parts of the Body
• Symptoms Similar to Parkinson's and/or Alzheimer's Disease
• Pernicious Anemia (Megaloblastic Anemia)

Muscle cramps and fatigue, red blood cell production and neurological functioning. As directed by your healthcare professional.

Deionized Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sepigel 305, Lecithin, Alcohol, Glycerin, Simugel 600, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Lemon Verbana Oil, Methylcobalamin