METHYLCOBALAMIN #72

NEUROLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGH

Japanese scientists have identified a form of vitamin B12 that protects against neurological disease and aging by a unique mechanism that differs from current therapies. Some of the disorders that may be preventable or treatable with this natural vitamin therapy, called methylcobalamin, include Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathies, Alzheimer’s disease, Muscular dystrophy, ALS, MS, and neurological aging. This form of vitamin B12, and unlike prescription drugs, it costs very little and is free of side effects.

Vitamin B12 is a general label for a group of essential biological compounds known as cobalamins. The cobalamins are structurally related to hemoglobin in the blood, and a deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause anemia. The primary concern of conventional doctors is to maintain adequate cobalamin status to protect against anemia. The most common form of vitamin B12 is called cyanocobalamin.

However, over the last 10 years, a number of central and peripheral neurological diseases have been related to a deficiency of a very specific cobalamin, the methylcobalamin form, that is required to protect against neurological diseases and aging. The liver converts a small amount of cyanocobalamin into methylcobalamin within the body, but larger amounts of methylcobalamin are necessary to correct neurological defects and protect against aging.

Published studies show that high doses of methylcobalamin are needed to regenerate neurons, as well as the myelin sheath that protects axons and peripheral nerves.

Just how effective is methylcobalamin in treating acute disease? Lets take a look at some neurological diseases and other disorders where methylcobalamin has shown therapeutic results.

Aging Brain
One cause of brain cell death is glutamate toxicity. Brain cells use glutamate as a neurotransmitter, but unfortunately glutamate is a double-edged sword in that it can also kill aging brain cells. The release of glutamate from the synapses is a usual means by which neurons communicate with each other.

Effective communication means controlled release of glutamate at the right time to the right cells, but when glutamate is released in excessive amounts, intercellular communication ceases. The flood of glutamate onto the receiving neurons drives them into hyperactivity, and the excessive activity leads to cellular degradation. The Life Extension Foundation has never recommended glutamine supplements for healthy people because of concern about glutamine-induced brain cell damage. The good news is that it may now be possible to protect brain cells against glutamate toxicity by taking methylcobalamin supplements. In a study in the European Journal of Pharmacology (1993 Sep.7; 7; 241 (1): 1-6), it was shown that methylcobalamin protected against glutamate-, aspartate- and nitroprusside- induced neurotoxicity in rat cortical neurons.

This study also showed that S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) protected against neurotoxicity. In a study in Investigational Ophthalmology Visual Sciences (1997 Apr; 38(5): 848-854), a combination of methylcobalamin and SAMe was used to protect against retinal brain-cell toxicity caused by glutamate and nitroprusside.

Researchers concluded that methylcobalamin protects against neurotoxicity by enhancing brain cell methylation. The Life Extension Foundation previously has recommended methylation-enhancing therapies such as vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid and TMG (trimethylglycine) to protect against heart disease, stroke and other aging-related diseases.

Alzheimer's Disease

A study in Clinical Therapeutics (1992 May; 14(3): 426-437) showed that the intravenous administration of large doses of methylcobalamin to Alzheimer's patients improved the patients' intellectual functions such as memory, emotions and communication with other people. The scientists concluded that methylcobalamin is a safe and effective treatment for psychiatric disorders in patients with Alzheimer-type dementia.

This is the only clinical study the Foundation could find on using methylcobalamin to treat Alzheimer's disease. It could be that 40 to 80 mg a day of sublingually administered methylcobalamin would be an effective adjuvant (assisting) Alzheimer's therapy.

Multiple Sclerosis
A study in the journal Internal Medicine (1994 Feb. 33(2): 82-86) investigated the daily administration of 60 mg of methylcobalamin to patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that has a poor prognosis and features widespread demyelination in the central nervous system.

Although motor disability did not improve, there were clinical improvements in visual and auditory MS-related disabilities. The scientists stated that methylcobalamin might be an effective adjunct to immunosuppressive treatment for chronic progressive MS. Those with less serious forms of MS may consider adding methylcobalamin to their daily treatment regimen.

The effects of methylcobalamin were studied on an animal model of muscular dystrophy. This study, published in Neuroscience Letters (1994 Mar 28; 170[1] 195-197), looked at the degeneration of axon motor terminals.

In mice receiving methylcobalamin, nerve sprouts were more frequently observed and regeneration of motor nerve terminals occurred in sites that had previously been degenerating.

Cancer & Immune Function

A study in the journal Oncology (1987; 44[3]: 169-173) examined the effects of methylcobalamin on several different kinds of tumors in mice. The administration of methylcobalamin for seven days suppressed liver, lung and ascites tumor growth. Mice receiving methylcobalamin survived longer than control mice. In mice irradiated before tumor cell inoculation, methylcobalamin did not improve survival.

The effects of methylcobalamin on human immune function was investigated in the Journal of Clinical Immunology (1982 Apr 2; [2]: 101-109). The study showed that methylcobalamin showed remarkable T cell-enhancing effects when the T cells were exposed to certain antigens.

The scientists also showed that methylcobalamin improved the activity of T helper cells. The scientists concluded that methylcobalamin could modulate lymphocyte function by augmenting regulatory T cell activities.

Sleep
A study in the journal Experientia (1992 Aug; 48[8]: 716-720) indicates that those taking methylcobalamin also might want to take melatonin. In the study, it was detailed how nine healthy humans were given 3 mg of methylcobalamin a day for four weeks.

Among the results, it was found that melatonin levels were significantly lower in the group receiving methylcobalamin compared with placebo, although methylcobalamin did not adversely effect sleep patterns. On the contrary, previous reports of experiments show that vitamin B12 improves sleep patterns.

The Life Extension Foundation suggests that those taking methylocobalamin take at least 500 micrograms (½ mg) of melatonin at bedtime. In addition to its sleep-enhancing capabilities, melatonin has shown potent anti-cancer and immune-enhancing benefits.

A more recent German study appearing in Neuropharmacology (15[5]: 456-464, 1996) showed that while methylcobalamin reduced the amount of time subjects slept, that sleep quality was better and subjects awoke feeling refreshed, and with better alertness and concentration. Part of this effect was apparently due to melatonin suppression during the daytime because methylcobalamin reduced drowsiness.

Most of the scientific studies cited in this article were conducted in Japan. Americans need to know about this important natural therapy that could extend the healthy human life span. A search of the scientific literature reveals 334 published studies on methylcobalamin. However, it would not be an exaggeration to say that virtually no American doctors know of it or are recommending it.

Methylcobalamin should be considered for the treatment of any neurological disease. For example, based on its unique mechanisms of action, methylcobalamin could be effective in slowing the progression of "untreatable" diseases such as ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Since methylcobalamin is not a drug, there is little economic incentive to conduct expensive clinical studies on it, so it may be a long time before we know just how effective this form of vitamin B12 is in slowing the progression of common disorders like Parkinson's disease.

The sublingual intake of methylcobalamin is an affordable and effective natural therapy, and it is safe even when given in large doses.

For prevention purposes, just 5 mg of methylcobalamin taken under the tongue every day could produce enormous anti-aging benefits at a very low price.

The scientists who conducted the methylcobalamin studies emphasize that ongoing intake of methylcobalamin is necessary to protect against neurotoxicity. Thus, for methylcobalamin to be effective in protecting against neurological disease, daily supplementation may be required.

An appropriate dose to protect against neurological aging might be 1 to 5 mg a day taken under the tongue.