Clinicians Vitamin B12 Oral Drops 50mcg/drop | 15ml

Clinicians Vitamin B12 Oral Drops 

What is Vitamin B12 Oral Drops?

Vitamin B12 oral drops is a liquid form of single vitamin B12 that is easily absorbed through the mouth directly into the blood circulation and is used to ensure normal levels of Vitamin B12 are maintained, to support a healthy central nervous system and brain function, and to promote red blood cell production and DNA synthesis.

Why use Vitamin B12 Oral Drops?

Vitamins are essential nutrients needed by the body and can only be obtained from the diet. Vitamin B12 Oral Drops is a liquid form of single vitamin B12 that is easily absorbed through the mouth directly into the blood circulation. Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin for many body processes but levels can be compromised by some restrictive diets, some medications, some conditions like gastrointestinal diseases that affect food absorption, and in some groups of people, such as older people and during pregnancy. Vitamin B12 oral drops are used to ensure normal levels of Vitamin B12 are maintained, to support a healthy central nervous system and brain function, and to promote red blood cell production and DNA synthesis.

What are the Key Benefits of Vitamin B12 Oral Drops?

• Active form of vitamin B12 provided as a liquid for rapid absorption in the mouth
• Supports a healthy nervous system and healthy brain function
• Supports normal red blood cell production
• Promotes DNA synthesis
• Supports normal levels of vitamin B12 in groups that may be compromised
• Suitable for those with gastrointestinal problems
• Does not contain sugar or artificial sweeteners
• Does not contain added colours, flavours, preservatives, gluten, wheat or dairy

What are the Ingredients of Vitamin B12 Oral Drops?

Each drop of Vitamin B12 Oral Drops contains the following ingredients:

• Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) 50mcg
• Each drop also contains purified water, citric acid, sodium citrate and potassium sorbate.

Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin)

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin that contains a cobalt molecule in its structure and is also known as cobalamin. It is found mainly in animal foods including fish, meat, eggs and milk, but is scarce in plant based foods. There are two active forms of the B12 which are methylcobalamin and 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin. Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic form of vitamin B12 that is only found is supplements, as it more stable, but it is not found in nature and is converted into methylcobalamin or 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin once ingested. Vitamin B12 is transported bound to protein first in the saliva and then to a glycoprotein called intrinsic factor produced by the parietal cells of the gastric mucosa, which is essential for absorption of vitamin B12 from the small intestine into the circulation. It also circulates in the blood bound to a protein called transcoalbumin^1.

Why is Vitamin B12 important?

Vitamin B12 is important for the normal functioning of several body processes, including the nervous system, brain function and formation of red blood cells; and is also important for DNA synthesis and cell maturation. The B group of vitamins are cofactors for many enzymes. The methylcobalamin form of Vitamin B12 is a cofactor of methionine synthase that converts the amino acid homocysteine to methionine, a reaction that takes place in the cell cytosol and which is an important amino acid for the synthesis of many proteins. These include myelin, a component of the myelin sheath that protects nerves, the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and noradrenalin. Methionine is also essential for the synthesis of DNA and membrane phospholipids. 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin is a cofactor for the enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase that converts L-methylmalonyl-CoA into succinyl-CoA, which is an intermediate in the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, that is the metabolic process of chemical reactions by which energy is released from energy stores in proteins and fats. These reactions that takes place within the mitochondria of cells^2.

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Deficiency in vitamin B12 can be due to several reasons. These include increasing age, restricted diets like vegan and vegetarian, gastrointestinal diseases that affect food absorption, people with neurological disorders and increased need for vitamin B12 such as during pregnancy3, 4, 5. Certain medications can also affect vitamin B12 levels, including proton pump inhibitors for reflux, like omeprazole, that can deplete stores by reducing gastric acid secretion and thus the intestinal release of Vitamin B12 from foods; also, metformin for diabetes that can affect absorption of Vitamin B126. Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune disease in the which the immune system attacks the parietal cells of the stomach that produce gastric acid and this results in malabsorption and deficiency of Vitamin B12 due to depletion of intrinsic factor produced by the parietal cells that is essential for absorption of vitamin B122, ^{7, 8.} Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include megaloblastic anaemia, fatigue, weakness, digestive problems, nerve damage, paraesthesia (tingling, pins and needles) and neurological problems like depression and memory loss^{1, 3, 7.} Supplementation with oral vitamin B12 has been shown to be effective for treating deficiency due to pernicious anaemia9, and for increasing vitamin B12 levels in vegetarians and vegans^{1, 5.}

How does Vitamin B12 work in the body?

Vitamin B12 for red blood cells production

Red blood cells or erythrocytes are produced in the bone marrow and are rich is the protein haemoglobin that carries oxygen around the body. The process of erythrocyte formation is called erythropoiesis and is regulated by the hormone erythropoietin. When mature, red blood cells lose their nucleus and enter the circulation. Erythropoiesis a process of rapid cell turnover of bone marrow cells, which is dependent on Vitamin B12 and folic acid (vitamin B9). A deficiency in vitamin B12 affects DNA synthesis but haemoglobin synthesis in the cell cytosol is unaffected and this results in production of abnormal red blood cells and an insufficiency of normal mature red blood cells. This condition is known as megaloblastic anaemia due to abnormally large red blood cells and a reduced red blood cell count and is a common condition where malnutrition is prevalent. Symptoms of megaloblastic anaemia include tiredness, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, unusually pale skin, swollen tongue, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, rapid heartbeat^{10, 11.}

Vitamin B12 for healthy nervous system

Neurological symptoms are often the fist clinical signs of vitamin B12 deficiency and include Paraesthesia (tingling, pins and needles sensation), numbness of the hands or feet, movement disorders like unsteady gait and coordination. In extreme cases symptoms may include extreme nerve pain caused by peripheral neuropathy, paralysis and visual disturbances caused by optic nerve atrophy. These neurological disorders are related to inhibition of methionine synthesis leading to defective myelin sheath formation and neurotransmitter synthesis and transmission, causing the condition known as funicular myelosis^7.

Vitamin B12 for brain health

High levels of homocysteine (hyperhomocysteinemia) are associated with cognitive decline in older people. Folic acid (vitamin B9) is a precursor in the synthesis of homocysteine, which is not obtained from the diet. Transfer of a methyl group from 5‑methyl tetrahydrofolate methionine to homocysteine to form methionine is catalysed by the enzyme methionine sythetase, which is dependent on vitamin B12 and folate (vitamin B9). This is known as the methylation reaction. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is also a methyl group donor in the synthesis of methionine and there is a fine balance maintained between these metabolic processes. If the methylation reaction is inhibited due to a deficiency of B12 this results in a build-up of homocysteine, which contributes to nerve cell damage, resulting in neuropathy (damage tom peripheral nerves), changes in the brain associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and damage to the vascular endothelium (cells than line all blood vessels)^{12, 13, 14.} Clinical studies indicate that there may be a role for vitamin B12 in the prevention of cognitive decline^1.

What are the Contraindications/Interactions of Vitamin B12 Oral Drops?

You should always check the ingredients for known allergies and to ensure you do not have any allergies or sensitivities to these ingredients. Stop using if you develop any irritation or allergy while taking Vitamin B12 oral drops. Always read the label and use as directed or seek advice from your healthcare professional.

Caution:

• High intake of alcohol or smoking can affect vitamin B12 levels
• Some medications affect vitamin B12 levels including corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole, metformin for diabetes

What are the Directions for using Vitamin B12 Oral Drops?

Place one drop of Vitamin B12 Oral Drops under the tongue, once daily.

Product Size

15ml

References

The following references provide scientific support for the use of this product:

General

1. O'Leary F, Samman S.Vitamin B12 in health and disease. Nutrients.2010 Mar;2(3):299-316.
2. Gherasim C, Lofgren M, Banerjee R. Navigating the B(12) road: assimilation, delivery, and disorders of cobalamin. J Biol Chem.2013 May 10;288(19):13186-93.
3. Langan RC, Goodbred AJ. Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Recognition and Management. Am Fam Physician.2017 Sep 15;96(6):384-389.
4. Allen LH. Causes of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency. Food Nutr Bull.2008 Jun;29(2 Suppl):S20-34; discussion S35-7.
5. Rizzo G, Laganà AS, Rapisarda AM, La Ferrera GM, Buscema M, et al. Vitamin B12 among Vegetarians: Status, Assessment and Supplementation. Nutrients 2016, 8, 767.
6. Ahmed MA. Metformin and Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Where Do We Stand? J Pharm Pharm Sci.2016 Jul - Sep;19(3):382-398.
7. Gröber U, Neuroenhancement with Vitamin B12—Underestimated Neurological Significance Kisters K, Schmidt J. Nutrients 2013, 5, 5031-5045.
8. Quadros EV. Advances in the understanding of cobalamin assimilation and metabolism. Br J Haematol.2010 Jan;148(2):195-204.
9. Chan CQ, Leng Low LL, Hock Lee KH. Oral Vitamin B12 Replacement for the Treatment of Pernicious Anemia. Front Med (Lausanne).2016 Aug 23;3:38.
10. Mahmood L. The metabolic processes of folic acid and Vitamin B12 deficiency. Journal of Health Research and Reviews January April 2014 Volume 1 Issue 1
11. Koury MJ, Ponka. New insights into erythropoiesis: the roles of folate, vitamin B12, and iron. Annu Rev Nutr.2004;24:105-31.
12. Weir DG, Scott JM. Brain function in the elderly: role of vitamin B12 and folate. Br Med Bull. 1999;55(3):669-82.
13. Zhang DM, Ye JX, Mu JS, Cui XP. Efficacy of Vitamin B Supplementation on Cognition in Elderly Patients With Cognitive-Related Diseases. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol.2017 Jan;30(1):50-59.
14. Zhuo J-M, Wang H, Praticò D. Is Hyperhomocysteinemia an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk factor, an AD marker or neither? Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2011 September ; 32(9): 562–571.