Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12): Amazing Drug Used To Treat These 13 Diseases
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that our body cannot produce. It is also called cobalamin. It is found in animal products and available as injections also. For DNA synthesis, the work of the nerve cell and the development of red blood cells, vitamin B12 is important. Vitamin B12 helps boost your energy, memory, and prevent heart disease.
Older adults, people with gastrointestinal problems, and people on a strict vegan diet are at an increased risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 to Treat 13 Diseases
Vitamin B12 may be helpful to treat the following 13 diseases. The proof remains lacking in some cases and the observations must be viewed with caution.
Anemia Prevention
Inherited Vitamin B12 deficiency (Imerslund-Grasbeck disease (IGS)).
Prevent Major Birth Defects
Cyanide Poisoning
May Prevent Osteoporosis
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Nerve damage from shingles.
May Improve Symptoms of Depression
May Improve Energy Levels
Lower homocysteine levels
Vitamin B12 may improve dermatologic issues
May prevent memory loss
Diabetic neuropathy
Anemia Prevention
A woman with fatigue, Credits: canva
Vitamin For the development of red blood cells, vitamin B12 is important. Low vitamin B12 levels allow RBC formation to decrease. People with vitamin B12 deficiency have bigger, oval red blood cells. The larger RBCs cannot move from the bone marrow to the bloodstream resulting in megaloblastic anemia. When a person is anemic, the deficient red blood cells may not transport enough oxygen to the vital organs, resulting in fatigue and tiredness. Vitamin B12 hydroxocobalamin injections 5 mg twice weekly will minimize fatigue.
Inherited Vitamin B12 Deficiency (Imerslund-Grasbeck disease (IGS))
IGS is a condition characterized by vitamin B12 deficiency causing megaloblastic anemia. People with IGS may develop recurrent gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. A Vitamin B12 injection for 10 days followed by regular monthly injections is effective for treating people with this inherited disease.
Prevent Major Birth Defects
A fetus, Credits: canva
For a healthy pregnancy, adequate vitamin B12 levels are necessary. Studies have shown that mother requires appropriate vitamin B12 in the brain and nervous system to grow properly. The risk of neural tube defects can be increased by vitamin B12 defects during the early stages of pregnancy. Also, maternal B12 deficiency can cause premature birth or miscarriage.
Cyanide Poisoning
The use of hydroxocobalamin injections (a total of up to 10 grams) was shown to be beneficial for cyanide poisoning. The Food and Drug Administration has approved this procedure.
May Prevent Osteoporosis
Vitamin B12 is essential for bone health. People with B12 vitamin deficiency could have a low density of bone minerals that increases their osteoporosis risk.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
An old woman with AMD, Credits: canva
Vitamin B12 together with folic acid as well as vitamin B6 can help avoid a chance of an eye disease known macular degeneration due to age. The health risk for AMD is elevated rates of homocysteine. Researchers speculate that supplementation of vitamin B12 may lower the levels of homocysteine in the blood.
Nerve Damage from Shingles
It has been shown that injections into the skin with vitamin B12 in form of methylcobalamine are successful for nerve damage caused by shingles six time a week for four weeks.
May Improve Symptoms of Depression
Vitamin B12 may improve your mood. For serotonin synthesis that controls the mood, vitamin B12 is vital. People with vitamin B12 deficiencies may have decreased serotonin that may lead to depression. A combination of antidepressants and vitamin B12 has been shown to combat depression effectively. To validate the results, further analysis is needed.
May Improve Energy Levels
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B vitamins are essential for energy production. People who are deficient in vitamin B12 may benefit from taking this vitamin B12 supplement and improve their energy levels.
Lower Homocysteine Levels
The elevated risk of heart attack is connected to high homocysteine levels. Deficiency of vitamin B12 can increase homocysteine levels. Supplementing vitamin B12 can reduce homocysteine levels and decrease heart disease risk. However, the available evidence are insufficient to confirm that vitamin B12 supplements have a role in heart health.
Vitamin B12 May Improve Dermatologic Issues
Adequate levels of the vitamin are essential for healthy hair, skin, and nails. Low levels of vitamin B12 can cause dermatologic symptoms like hyperpigmentation, nail discoloration, vitiligo, and angular stomatitis. People who are deficient in vitamin B12 can take vitamin B12 supplements to improve their dermatologic complaints.
May Prevent Memory Loss
In patients with early stage dementia, the mental decline has shown a mixture of vitamin B12 and omega-3 supplements. The evidence remain unclear and further research is warranted to find the role of vitamin B12 in mental health.
Diabetic Neuropathy
A physician treating neuropathy, Credits: canva
Vitamin B12 supplements have been shown to reduce the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. Large scale studies are warranted to confirm the findings.