Methylcobalamin is a type of vitamin B12.A vitamin isan organic substance the body needs in a tiny amount in order to function well.Vitamins are essentialnutrients that the body cannot make on its own. So, you need toget vitamins from food and supplements. If you lack a vitamin or can’t absorbit because of a disease, you may become vitamin deficient. Vitamin deficiencycan cause disease.

Methylcobalamin is a water-solublevitamin. The body absorbs these vitamins easily and doesn’t storetoo much of them. The other type of vitamins are fat soluble, and the body canstore them for use as needed.

Vitamin B12 is the most complexvitamin in terms of chemical structure. It differs from allother vitamins because it has a metal ion, cobalt, in its structure. This iswhy its forms are called cobalamins.

Methylcobalamin is one of the two active forms of vitamin B12, along with5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin. Many B12 supplements and fortified foods use cyanocobalamin.But the cells cannot use this form of vitamin B12. They need to convert it toan active form of vitamin B12 first.

The Roleof Methylcobalamin in the Body

Vitamin B12 plays a key role in the functioning of the brain and nerves,as well as in the formation of red blood cells. In addition, the body usesvitamin B12 in energy production and regulation, among other metabolic roles.Metabolism comprises all the processes through which the body assimilates asubstance or eliminates one.

Here are the main roles of methylcobalamin in the body:

Methylcobalamin protectsneurons and regenerates damaged nerves. Doctors have used it inthe treatment of some diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and rheumatoid arthritis.

The body also needs vitamin B12 to preserve the integrity of the fattycover that protects neurons (myelin sheath). Scientists need to domore work to prove whether vitamin B12 deficiency contributes to increasing therisk of dementia — a disease that damages neurons — in older people.

Methylcobalamin works together with folate in the synthesis of DNA. Adeficiency of methylcobalamin or folate hurts the production of red bloodcells.

Studies have found people with depression have lowlevels of vitamin B12, though it’s not clear whether vitamin B12 can causedepression.

Researchstudies have shown there is a connection between osteoporosisand vitamin B12 deficiency. So, you need vitamin B12, as well as folate, forbone health. These two nutrients are also essential to protect yourself fromcardiovascular disease. Also, they play a key role in preservingDNA integrity.

Some studies havefound evidence of a connection between low levels of vitamin B12 and increasedrisk of breast cancer.

Some researchers suggestthat methylcobalamin in combination with other substances could ease back pain,neck pain and trigeminal neuralgia. But researchers don’t understand themechanisms of B12 as a painkiller yet.