What happens when you overdose on Vitamin B12?

If you’re vegan or vegetarian, you’ve probably been told that you have an even higher risk of being deficient in certain nutrients, especially B12. One of the reasons for this is that B12 is only found in animal sources.

But even those who eat plenty of meat and eggs may be low in this essential nutrient. In fact, if you’ve been feeling tired, depressed, or just generally out of sorts, there’s a good chance your B12 levels are already sub-par.

In the US, deficiency in most of the B vitamins is now very low (<1% of the population) due to the fact that these vitamins have been added to cereal grain products for decades.

But B12 remains the predominant B vitamin deficiency.

Well, yes and no.

Taking B12 supplements is a great way to top up your B12 levels - but ONLY if you take the right one!

There’s a huge range of supplements on the market these days. Some are great, and some may be completely ineffective. Some may even be harmful.

And just to make things even more confusing, there’s a lot of so-called information on the internet about what happens when you overdose on B12.

First things first: when you take the right B12, the risk of overdosing is almost non-existent. Let’s explain why.

No matter what age you are - or how healthy you are - you need all eight B vitamins every day for your body to function properly. These vitamins are referred to as the B complex, and comprise of thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), vitamin B6, folate (B9) and vitamin B12.

Each of the B complex vitamins shares certain cellular coenzyme functions and are often found in the same foods.

The most important job of the B complex is in the catabolic process of generating energy within cells. For example, the active forms of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid are particularly important as coenzymes in cellular energy production.

Thiamine, biotin and vitamin B12 also have special roles in the mitochondrial metabolism of glucose, fatty acids and amino acids, which are vital components of the citric acid cycle. Together, they help your body break down glucose (blood sugar) and create energy in the form of ATP molecules. Without ATP, your heart, brain, and other crucial organs would not be able to function.

It’s for this reason that being deficient in any one of the B vitamins can have severe consequences on your daily energy levels, brain function, cardiovascular function, and your mood.

Like the other Bs, Vitamin B12 plays an important role in energy production, the formation of red blood cells, and the synthesis of fatty acids. It works closely alongside vitamin B9 (also called folate) to help make red blood cells which are required for carrying oxygen to all parts of your body.

But there are many reasons that set B12 apart from every other vitamin.

Vitamin B12 is referred to as cobalamin because it’s the only known vitamin that has the form of the metal “cobalt” and still reacts with humans, plants, and animals. Cobalt gives Vitamin B12 its natural red color.

While the other eight B vitamins are made by plants, B12 is made by bacteria in the gut of ruminant animals. Ruminants acquire vitamin B12, through a symbiotic relationship with the bacteria present in their stomachs. This is why humans can only source B12 from foods (such as fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk products) or supplements.

B12’s unique composition means it’s bound to the protein in food. For us humans, that means we need something called intrinsic factor in order to absorb and use B12 properly. Intrinsic factor is a glycoprotein made by the parietal cells lining the stomach. Our stomach releases hydrochloric acid during digestion, which then releases B12 from protein so it can combine with intrinsic factor. This makes it possible for B12 to be absorbed later on in the ileum of the small intestine.

A lack of intrinsic factor means impaired uptake of vitamin B12, which can result in a B12 deficiency.

B12 works alongside folate and vitamin B6 to lower concentrations of homocysteine. Homocysteine is an amino acid that is an intermediate in the production of two other amino acids, methionine and cysteine. Although homocysteine is naturally present in our bodies, elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor in a very important step of the one-carbon pathway: the synthesis of methionine. Methionine is an amino acid that donates the methyl groups required for methylation reactions (biochemical reactions that are essential for the synthesis of the above-mentioned substances) to occur. Without methionine, myelin and neurotransmitters that are needed for neurological development, maintenance, and functions, cannot be produced.

Methionine is synthesized from homocysteine, which has been linked to many neurodegenerative diseases. A high level of homocysteine can lead to brain damage and poor cognitive function. The synthesis of methionine thus prevents the accumulation of this harmful amino acid in the brain.

In addition, B12 is vital for the maintenance of the myelin sheaths that cover and protect the nerves of the central and the peripheral nervous system. This covering ensures fast and effective nerve-impulse transmission. Damage to the myelin sheath due to B12 deficiency typically results in neurological problems later in life.

Sufficient vitamin B12 is required for methylation, which is necessary for the production of serotonin as well as other monoamine neurotransmitters and catecholamines. High serum levels of homocysteine and low serum levels of B12 are associated with poor cognitive function, cognitive decline and dementia. Folate and B12 work together to produce S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a compound involved in immune function and mood.

Recent studies have shown that B12 supplementation could play an important role in the treatment of mood disorders, particularly when combined with SSRIs.

Symptoms of B12 deficiency usually start slowly and get worse over time. However, it’s also possible to have symptoms of B12 deficiency without having anemia, or to be low in B12 but have no symptoms. This means many people don’t realize they’re low in B12 until their health is compromised.

Low B12 often leads to low red blood cell production, which in turn can lead to poor energy levels and fatigue. In serious cases, B12 deficiency can contribute to neurological symptoms such as mood disorders, anxiety, and/or nerve pain. Research has shown a fundamental link between low B12, low folate, and major depression.

This is the most important part of the whole matter. Improving your B12 status comes down to the TYPE of B12 you take.

The recommended daily amount of vitamin B12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms. However, the key is absorption. You might be taking a multivitamin that contains the recommended amount of B12, but if your body can’t absorb it (for any of the reasons mentioned above), you won’t reap any of the benefits.

Supplementation with a highly bioavailable form of vitamin B12 at 5000 mcg is the most efficient way to ensure optimal levels. This is particularly important for vegans/vegetarians, the elderly, and anyone with a MTHFR gene mutation (which can be detected through testing).

B12’s complex metabolic pathway means that the only way to ensure proper uptake is by taking the most bioactive form of the vitamin. And, because B12 is best absorbed sublingually via the mucous membranes in the mouth, your supplement should be in the form of spray or tablets that are placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve.

For optimal absorption, supplementary B12 should be in an active form that requires minimal breakdown.

Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic (man-made) form of B12 often used in supplements because it’s the most cost-effective. However, this form of B12 is much more difficult for the body to absorb and use due to its lengthy and complex breakdown process. Genetic variants can make absorption even more difficult. Cyanocobalamin also contains a cyanide molecule which, although generally perceived as safe, isn’t something you want a large dose of.

Bioactive means that the B12 has already been converted into a form that can be absorbed, transported to and used by the body’s cells immediately.

• Methylcobalamin requires little to no conversion and crosses easily through every part of B12’s metabolic pathway. It’s also the most common form of B12 found in animal-derived sources.
• Methylcobalamin helps in the synthesis of methionine and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe). It is also required to maintain the integrity of myelin, neuronal function, proper red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis. It may also help in lowering homocysteine levels and reducing the risk of anemia.
• Hydroxocobalamin is another biologically active form of B12. It’s a precursor to methylcobalamin and often recommended in conditions where B12 cannot be properly absorbed in the gut. It’s also the most well-tolerated form of active B12 for most people.
• Hydroxocobalamin is essential for DNA replication and synthesis, proper function of the nervous system, cellular energy, as well the conversion of homocysteine into methionine. It’s effective in treating brain fog, pernicious anemia and for clearing excess peroxynitrites. This is a more rare form of B12 that’s not as easy to find on the shelf at the store, but it’s well-worth the time you spend to obtain it, it’s very effective. It’s worth noting that hydroxocobalamin, in addition to doing its own jobs, gets converted into both methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin within the body. So it’s a very versatile form of active B12.
• Adenosylcobalamin is also an active form of B12 that’s stored in the mitochondria, so it’s particularly effective for supporting cellular energy production, muscle recovery, myelin sheath integrity, and reducing the risk of anemia. It’s often used by athletes.As with methylcobalamin and hydroxocobalamin, adenosylcobalamin does not need to be converted by your genes or enzymes in order to be available for use. It’s also a powerful scavenger that helps to clear out extra nitrous oxide and peroxynitrite in the body and convert it back into methionine. Again, this form of B12 is harder to find in the marketplace.

Not really. Because your body will only absorb as much as it needs, vitamin B12 supplements are considered safe at high doses. Any excess will simply be flushed out in your urine.

In fact, a dosage of 5000 mcg or more of Vitamin B12 Is often recommended for those who have a health condition that affects their B12 absorption. Researchers suggest that very high doses of active B12 can be quite beneficial to those with Parkinson’s as it seems to calm the tremors in some sufferers. Consultation with a qualified healthcare professional is always recommended.

You’ll find that Methyl-Life’s® B12 Complete contains 5000mcg of bioavailable B12 where all three active forms are present in each tablet: Methylcobalamin (2,500 mcg), Hydroxocobalamin (1,250 mcg) and Adenosylcobalamin (1,250 mcg).

Methyl-Life’s® B12 Complete is a full-spectrum B12 product. It’s the best combination of the preferred forms of B12 available on the market today, and especially ideal for those who are also low in folate or have any form of health condition or gene mutation that may be affecting their B12 absorption.

Visit: Methyl-Life® Vitamin B12 News Blog