[DigitalJack]

I happen to have a gene mutation that makes methylation of B12 inefficient. I never did well in chemistry or biology for that matter, but my limited understanding is that methylation is necessary for it to be useful.

It turns out that you can buy methylated B12 called methylcobalamin. The more common form is cyanocobalamin, and is not very useful for people like myself.

That is my understanding, if anyone here knows better or more, please correct me.

[timewarrior]

Thanks for this added information. I discovered the same thing, with another family member where Methylcobalamin worked wonders and Cyanocobalamin didn't.

One thing I would add is that Methylcobalamin needs to be injected to work best. If people do not have your gene mutation, they are better off taking Cyanocobalamin.

PS: Whenever someone in family has major health issue which no one can get handle on - they reach out to me. My lifelong dream has been to cure Cancer using AI. Just started working on that.

[tathougies]

You can take methylcobalamin sublingually. Absorption is fine, according to my blood results.

[0xJRS]

I'd be interested to see your approach and what you've done so far on the Cancer/AI front. Do you have links to anything online?

[pcthrowaway]

I thought the injection was typically hydroxocobalamin. Has this changed?

[timewarrior]

Yep, they are and also the best form. Extremely unstable in capsules and oral supplements though.

Methylcobalamin isn't very effective orally. However someone with a gene mutation doesn't have any choices.

[AstralStorm]

It actually is quite effective, much like cyanocobalamin. (The usual form in supplements.) Needs just slightly higher dosage than hydroxocobalamin.

[AstralStorm]

Typically it is further up the methylation pathway. You might need methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHR, brand names Metafolin and Deplin) supplementation combined with methyl-B12.

[theprotocol]

Does the typical B12 blood test test for this? Or do you have normal levels even without supplementing methylcobalamin?

[nlperguiy]

True, cyanocobalamin for people like you won't work.

Although consuming just methylcobalamin leaves out adenosylcobalamin.