Vitamin B12 is one of the most intriguing vitamins and also one of the most complex. Its role in the operations of our bodies is diverse — from maintaining the nervous system, red blood cells, and energy metabolism to the proper functioning of our brains, hearts, livers, and kidneys. It is, in fact, essential for optimal health, performance, and wellbeing.
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin required for normal cellular activity, working with folic acid to create building blocks for RNA and DNA synthesis and the synthesis of molecules that help maintain the proper functioning of the genome. This vitamin also helps the nervous system function properly and aids in energy production and in fatty acid biosynthesis. The body uses only small amounts of vitamin B12 to carry out these tasks.
Vitamin B12 works with vitamin B6 and folic acid to control homocysteine levels. Excess levels of homocysteine have been linked to increased risk of stroke, osteoporosis, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Spray Labs’ Vitamin B12 supplement contains the most bioavailable form of B12, called methylcobalamin. Since it requires no conversion by the liver (as does the less expensive ingredient, cyanocobalamin), you receive our supplement in the form most readily used by the body. There is conclusive evidence, based on the medical literature, that vitamin B12 deficiency can be effectively treated using oral (absorption through the buccal mucosa) delivery as a convenient, easy, high compliance alternative to injections (references 1 and 2).
Vitamin B12 occurs naturally in meats and other sources of animal proteins (it is not found in plants), and serious deficiencies are rare in healthy individuals who consume a balanced diet. However, vegans, vegetarians, the elderly or those who have had any kind of gastric surgery, may suffer lower than healthy levels of vitamin B12.
Deficiency of Vitamin B12 has been linked to:
Research indicates that Vitamin B12 may also be useful in the treatment of:
Delpre, G. 1999. Sublingual Therapy for Cobalamin Deficiency as an Alternative to Oral and Parenteral Cobalamin Supplementation. The Lancet 354:740-741.