Forrest Health :: Products H-Z :: Vitamins :: Vitamin B :: Vitamin B12/Folic Acid

Vitamin B12 is a label for a group of compounds known as cobalamins. The most common form of vitamin B12 is called cyanocobalamin.

Cobalamin functions as a source of a methyl group (a carbon molecule) for a very important biochemical cycle known as the methylation cycle. In order to do this, cobalamins must be converted to the methyl donating form called methylcobalamin. Methylcobalamin is the “active” form of cobalamins.

Signs, symptoms and health problems associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency
Deficiency characteristics include anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Deficiency also can lead to neurological changes such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. Additional symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency are difficulty in maintaining balance, depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory, and soreness of the mouth or tongue.

Signs of vitamin B-12 deficiency in infancy include failure to thrive, movement disorders, delayed development, and megaloblastic anemia. (1)

Adults over 50
Up to 30 percent of adults aged 50 years and older may have atrophic gastritis, an increased growth of intestinal bacteria, and be unable to normally absorb vitamin B-12 in food. They are, however, able to absorb the synthetic vitamin B-12 added to fortified foods and dietary supplements. Vitamin supplements and fortified foods may be the best sources of vitamin B-12 for adults older than age 50 years. (1)

Young adults
One study suggests that the prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency in young adults may be greater than previously thought. This study found that the percentage of subjects in three age groups (26-49 years, 50-64 years, and 65 years and older) with deficient blood levels of vitamin B-12 was similar across all age groups but that symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency were not as apparent in younger adults. This study also suggested that those who did not take a supplement containing vitamin B-12 were twice as likely to be vitamin B-12 deficient as supplement users, regardless of age group. (1)

Mental function
Methyl B-12 can be very effective in improving mental function. In a 1995 double-blind study of elderly people with low levels of B12, over 60% improved significantly with vitamin B-12 supplementation. It was suggested that those who did not improve had long-term (longer than 6 months) signs of mental impairment. (2)

Autism
Children with autism have been shown to be deficient in cysteine and glutathione and it appears that methylcobalamin can help restore the formation of the nutrients. (3)

Can I overdose on vitamin B-12?
The Institute of Medicine (an independent body that advises the government on science issues) did not establish a UL (upper intake level) for vitamin B-12 because it has a very low potential for toxicity. The IOM states that "no adverse effects have been associated with excess vitamin B-12 intake from food and supplements in healthy individuals". In fact, the IOM recommends that adults older than 50 years get most of their vitamin B-12 from vitamin supplements or fortified food because of the high incidence of impaired absorption in this age group of vitamin B12 from foods that come from animals. (1)


(1) Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
(2) van Goor L, et al. Review: Cobalamin deficiency and mental impairment in elderly people. Age Ageing (1995) 24:536-42.
(3) James SJ, et al. Metabolic biomarkers of increased oxidative stress and impaired methylation capacity in children with autism. Am J Clin Nutr (2004) 80:1611–7.


Vitamin B12/Folic Acid


ActiFolate - 60 Tabs
Product Code: METG001
ActiFolate - Comprehensive Folate Nutrition

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B12 Liquid - 30 ml
Product Code: SKU-16480
Methylcobalamin B12 liquid Methylcobalamin liquid for nerve health and cognitive function

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Beyond B12 40 tabs
Product Code: LONG006
Beyond Any Multiple 180 tabs - This extraordinary supplement goes far beyond any other B12 product on the market. This unique sublingual formula provides 2000mcg Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin), 30mg NSE Methylators, 200mcg Folic Acid, 25mcg Biotin, 4mg Vitamin B-6, and other important factors.


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FolaPro 800 mcg 60/120 tabs
Product Code: METG0111
FolaPro 800 mcg 60/120 tabs - Highly Absorbable Folate

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Folate, B6 & B12 90 tabs/InnateResponse
Product Code: INR026
Folate, B6 & B12 90 tabs - 100% Whole food vitamins and minerals delivered in our proprietary FoodState® food concentrates.

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Intrinsi B-12 Folate 60/180 tabs/Metagenics
Product Code: METG127
Intrinsi B-12 Folate 60/180 tabs - B12 and Folate with Intrinsic Factor

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Methyl B12 - 60 tabs
Product Code: SKU17756
Methyl B12 - 60 tabs - Methylcobalamin - The active co-enzyme form of Vitamin B12


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ReadiSorb Methyl B12 Spray
Product Code: RS-30
ReadiSorb Methyl B12 Spray - Liosomal B12 spray for maximum absorption.

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Sublingual Methyl B-12
Product Code: BIOG068
Sublingual Methyl B-12 - Dietary Supplement

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Super Liquid Folate
Product Code: DFH025
Super Liquid Folate contains a highly absorbable form of folic acid that assures maximal absorption and assimilation.

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Ultra B12-Folate
Product Code: SKU-16395
Ultra B12-Folate - Vitamin B12(cobalamin) works with folic acid in many body processes including the synthesis of DNA, red blood cells, and the maintenance of the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve cell.

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