Vitamin B 12 Injections
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1. Introduction
Methyl-B12, MeB12, MB12, etc. chemical name: methylcobalamin
Methylcobalamin is a coenzyme form of vitamin B12.
Methylcobalamin given by injection bypasses B12 transport mechanisms such as intrinsic factor, transcobalamin, TCII, etc. In the pure form it is a powerful methylating agent (methyl group donor) and the most common reagent used for the synthesis of methylmercury and dimethylmercury. Though some have given MeB12 injections to children thinking that normalizing (real or imagined) low B12 levels would help with symptoms of autism, the main stated reason for giving methylcobalamin has for it's use as a methyl group donor.
Illustration of homocysteine metabolism.
MeB12 injections can suppress certain components of the immune system including cytokine secretion and response to antigen presentation. Simply, methylcobalamin injections are immune-modulatory, may interfere with ability to fight infection but may also have anti-inflammatory properties.
2. The Issues
Richard Deth, Jill James, James Neubrander, and most of the DAN! doctors assume autism involves a defect in methylation pathways but there is almost nothing in the literature to support decreased methylation capacity among autistics. It's possible that some people with autism do have problems with methylation but there is no way of knowing if giving methyl donor supplements will be helpful or harmful. There are no documented toxic limits for B12 supplementation so it is claimed to be completely safe.
It is now accepted that reduced levels of reelin and glutamic acid 67kDa (GAD67)in schizophrenia is a result of hypermethylation of RELN and GAD67 promoters and giving methyl donor supplements to schizophrenia patients can exacerbate negative symptoms.
There are a few research projects underway that will likely confirm the source of reduced reelin and GAD67 in autism is also due to hypermethylation of the promoters. In this case methylcobalamin injections are potentially dangerous if they are able to further reduce GAD67 activity which will lead to increased CNS glutamate and decreased inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. An imbalance that is associated with epilepsy and there are a handful of anecdotal reports of new seizure activity following methylcobalamin injections in autistic children.
3. The Talking Points
- Methylation status is unknown and not tested before prescribing MeB12
- Cobalt is also a heavy metal and cobalt allergy is one possible pitfall of B12 injections
- Methylcobalamin is extremely effective at methylating inorganic mercury to more toxic organomercury compounds.
- Potential for triggering new seizure activity
- Unspecified and unmonitored immune effects
4. Blog Resources (A - Z)
5. Also See
General information about vitamin B12 from the Linus Pauling Institute.