Description
Dr MB’s Neuro Methyl Vits
“Unlock your neuro potential with Neuro Methyl Vitamins – a powerful blend of high-strength Methyl B12, Methyl Folate, and P-5-P. Experience the bioavailable forms of vitamins, designed to lower homocysteine levels and optimise your neurological well-being”.
What is homocysteine?
Homocysteine, a natural amino acid, is produced during the body’s methylation process. Elevated levels predict diseases like cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s. Vitamin deficiencies, poor diet, unhealthy lifestyles, certain drugs, and medical conditions contribute to elevated levels.
Plasma homocysteine lacks a universally agreed upper limit. Healthy range is typically 5-15 µmol/L. Even levels as low as 6.3 µmol/L increase risk. Each 5 µmol/L increase raises risk of coronary heart disease events by 20%.
Fortunately, homocysteine levels can be tested and normalized through diet and vitamin supplementation. Key nutrients include methylated folate, vitamins B12, B6, B2, and zinc.
What causes raised homocysteine levels?
Poor diet, unhealthy lifestyles (smoking, excessive coffee/alcohol), prescription drugs, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and poor thyroid function raise homocysteine.
Chronic inflammatory diseases, age, gender, oestrogen deficiency, long-term medications, strict vegetarians/vegans, stress, family history, genetic makeup, obesity, and lack of exercise also contribute.
Active, healthy individuals may still be at risk with family history or disease.
Treatment
The good news is that high homocysteine levels can often be normalized. Following dietary recommendations and taking vitamin supplements have proven to be highly effective in reducing plasma homocysteine levels. Notably, even when serum vitamin levels are within the normal or high range, vitamin supplementation can still normalize homocysteine levels. Due to metabolic, environmental, and genetic factors, determining individual nutritional needs without a homocysteine test is extremely challenging. The test results can then guide the necessary dietary adjustments and supplementation regimen.
Key nutrients that help lower homocysteine levels include folate, vitamins B12, B6, and B2, zinc, and trimethylglycine (TMG).
Vitamin B12 is crucial for maintaining healthy nerves and red blood cells. It plays a vital role in various body processes. However, a deficiency in this vitamin can occur, often leading to fatigue. Individuals such as strict vegetarians, heavy drinkers, smokers, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and the elderly often require vitamin B12 supplements. In some cases, the body struggles to absorb the vitamin properly, especially among those with conditions like pernicious anemia, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, or parasites. People with these conditions may also need vitamin B12 supplements.
Insufficient vitamin B12 levels can lead to various illnesses, including anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, depression, poor memory, mouth soreness, asthma, vision problems, and low sperm count.
Methylcobalamin, a biologically active form of vitamin B12 readily usable by tissues and cells, is more efficiently utilized by the body than cyanocobalamin. It is also better retained by the body after supplementation. Methylcobalamin primarily benefits the liver, brain, and nervous system, making it the preferred form to optimize B12 levels and improve neurological and cardiovascular health. Although Methyl B12 is more expensive, it can be a more cost-effective option in the long run.
Methyl folate (L-5-MTHF, L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate)
Methyl folate, also known as L-5-MTHF or L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, is a coenzyme of the important vitamin folic acid. Unlike regular folic acid, which requires conversion in the intestines and liver, 5 MTHF is already in its bioactive form. Some individuals may struggle with this conversion process due to intestinal or liver dysfunction. By being in its active form, 5 MTHF surpasses other folic acid supplements in terms of absorption and effectiveness.
With its methylation capabilities, 5 MTHF serves as a methyl donor, converting the amino acid homocysteine into methionine. Homocysteine is a biomarker for cardiovascular disease risk, and both methyl folic and methyl B12 have demonstrated their ability to reduce its levels.
Methyl Folic is recommended for both men and women planning to conceive as it enhances the cellular health of both sperm and eggs. Its use during pregnancy is also advised to reduce the occurrence of low birth weight and neural tube defects.
Pyridoxal-phosphate (P5P), also known as pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, is the bioactive or coenzyme form of vitamin B-6. P5P efficiently supports various functions, including muscle growth and repair, neurotransmitter functions, and energy metabolism. As a coenzyme, P5P actively participates in numerous chemical reactions and facilitates the conversion of substances in the body. It plays a crucial role in the synthesis and breakdown of amino acids.
P5P possesses the ability to lower levels of homocysteine, an amino acid associated with potential cardiovascular disease risk, by reducing methionine levels. Methionine is utilized in the production of homocysteine, and by reducing its presence, P5P helps protect against conditions like coronary heart disease, hypertension, and cerebral vascular disease.
Supplementing with P5P can potentially enhance brain function, particularly in individuals with autism. It is believed that individuals with autism have difficulties processing vitamin B6 in its active P5P form. By taking P5P directly, without the need for liver-mediated conversion of regular B6, improvements in cognition and social interaction can be observed. P5P may also play a role in preventing Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease through its homocysteine-lowering effects.
