Methyl B12 and Methyl Folate – ZARY – Chewable Tablets

Methyl B12 and methyl Folate are two active ingredients in Dr. Z’s ZARY.

It is a perfect combination as these two vitamins work together to keep us healthy.* For example, both – methyl B12 and folate – are involved in the synthesis, integrity and repair of DNA. In this way, these two vitamins play an important role in the health of each and every cell in our body.

If you replace one without replacing the other, you may mask the deficiency of the one that you did not replace. For example, both methyl B12 and methyl folate are important for the proper maturation of the red blood cells in the bone marrow. Deficiency of B12 or folate can lead to a maturation-defect during the synthesis of the red blood cells . Consequently, you have red blood cells which are too large and have difficulty leaving the bone marrow. As a result, there is less number of red blood cells circulating in the blood. The net result is macrocytic anemia, which means the size of the red blood cell is bigger than the normal range.

Now consider this well known caveat in clinical medicine. If a person has macrocytic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency, and you mistakenly treat it with folate, the anemia will resolve. But, effects of B12 deficiency on the nervous tissues will continue. Consequently, that person may end up with an advanced neurologic disorder.

1. Methyl B12 – Active Vitamin B12 – Methylcobalamin

Methyl B12 – short for Methylcobalamin – is a natural form of vitamin B12. It is also the active form of vitamin B12. Which means it is ready to be utilized by the body and does not have to go through any changes. Cyanocobalamin, on the other hand has to convert to methylcobalmin before it can be used by the cells. In addition, cyanocobalamin is a synthetic product. It does not exist in nature. It is cheap and that’s why many vitamin manufacturers love to use it in their products.

What is B12 good for?

B12 is important for the formation of red blood cells, health of the brain, nerves, heart, and gastrointestinal tract.

What are the symptoms of Low Vitamin B 12?

If you are low in vitamin B12, you may suffer from any of these symptoms:

• Lack of energy
• Macrocytic anemia in which you have larger than normal red blood cells. These cells get trapped inside the bone marrow and cannot get in to the blood circulation.
• Tingling and numbness in the feet and hands due to peripheral neuropathy
• Memory loss
• Depression
• Abnormal gait and lack of balance
• Anemia
• Burning of the tongue
• Poor appetite
• Constipation alternating with diarrhea
• Vague abdominal pain
• Increase in the level of Homocysteine which is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Should I take B12 Supplement?

Consider taking Vitamin B12 supplement if you are an elderly person because ageing can interfere with B12 absorption.  Similarly, people who consume alcohol excessively may not absorb vitamin B12 and should benefit from a B12 supplement.

Vegans and vegetarians are at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Because, B12 primarily comes from the animal products – beef, lamb, ham, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, milk, cheeses, and yogurt . If you avoid these B12-rich food, you are likely to develop B12 deficiency.

Certain commonly medications are known to increase your risk of B12 deficiency. These drugs include heartburn medications such as omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole(Prevacid), cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid AC.)  In addition, metformin (Glucophage) – an antidiabetic drug – frequently causes B12 deficiency.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria in our intestines which can lead to B12 deficiency, especially if antibiotics are used for a prolonged period.

Some gastrointestinal disorders can result in B12 deficiency. These disorders include chronic pancreatitis, atrophic gastritis, autoimmune gastritis, small intestinal resection or stomach surgery, gluten sensitivity, Crohn’s disease.

Note about pernicious Anemia, Graves’ disease and Lupus as causes of B12 deficiency:

am surprised to see that some websites write down pernicious anemia, Graves’ disease and Lupus as causes of B12 deficiency It is not true.

The fact is that pernicious anemia – a rare condition – is caused by vitamin B12 deficiency and not the other way round. In other words, pernicious anemia is the result and not the cause of B12 deficiency. Let me explain how pernicious anemia develops.  In some individuals, stomach cannot produce a protein called intrinsic factor due to a slow destruction of the stomach lining by the autoimmune process. This condition is called autoimmune gastritis – a rare condition. Consequently, you cannot absorb vitamin B12 in your food if don’t have intrinsic factor. That’s why B12 deficiency develops in these individuals. As I mentioned above, vitamin B12 is important for the proper maturation of the red blood cells in the bone marrow. B12 deficiency leads to a maturation-defect during the synthesis of the red blood cells . Consequently, you have red blood cells bigger than the normal range. Hence, it is also called macrocytic or megaloblastic anemia.

Similarly, I was surprised to see Graves’ disease and Lupus mentioned as causes of B12 deficiency. Not true! Here are basis facts in medicine: Graves’ disease and lupus are autoimmune disorders and so is Autoimmune gastritis. And autoimmune disorders tend to cluster in the same individual. Therefore, a person with Graves’ disease is more likely  – than a healthy person – to suffer from Autoimmune gastritis, which can then lead to vitamin B12 deficiency. But, if a person with Graves’s disease does not have associated Autoimmune gastritis, there will be no B12 deficiency. Graves’ disease and lupus do not cause B12 deficiency per se.

Are B12 supplements safe?

Vitamin B12 supplements are generally safe, even in large quantities. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. Whatever body does need need, get excreted in the urine. That’s why you need to take B12 daily either in food or as a supplement.

Dose of Vitamin B12 Supplement

The usual dose of vitamin B12 in supplements is 1000 mcg per tablet.

2. Methyl Folate – Active Folate – 5-MTHF

Methyl Folate is technically called 5-MTHF ( 5-MethylTetraHydroFolate.) It is the active form of folate which means it is ready for the body to utilize and does not have to go through any changes.

Folate – also known as vitamin B9 – is an important factor to maintain the integrity of our DNA. In particular, folate is important for the formation of red blood cells, metabolism of iron and an amino acid, called homocysteine. It is also important for the health of the brain. Folate plays a role in the fertility of men and women. Most importantly, it is crucial for the neural tube formation in the fetus.

Who needs Folate Supplement?

You may need folate supplement if:

• You are about to get pregnant, or you are already pregnant.
• You consume alcohol excessively.
• You do not eat green leafy vegetables regularly.
• You take medicines that can cause folate deficiency. These are: metformin, anti-seizure drugs (such as phenytoin and carbamazapine), methotrexate, sulfasalazine, triamterene, heartburn  medicines (such as omeprazole, cimetidine, ranitidine), and tetracycline antibiotic.
• You have a malabsorption syndrome such as Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, chronic enteritis and other malabsorption syndrome.
• You have genetic defect that decreases the conversion of dietary folate into Active folate (5-MTHF). You can choose to have genetic testing for MTHFR gene. However, if you have elevated homocysteine level, you can presume that you have MTHFR defect. In either case, you need Active folate (5-MTHF) as well as Vitamin B12 and Vitamin B6. You can monitor your homocysteine level to make sure that it comes down with the treatment.

Elevated Homocysteine level is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease and insulin resistance (1, 2). Studies have shown that Methyl B12 plus Methyl Folate and Vitamin B6 can lower homocysteine level and may reduce the risk of these disorders.

Are Folate supplements safe?

Folate supplements are generally safe.

How much Folate supplement to take?

The usual dose of folate in supplements is 400 – 800 mcg per tablet.

Dr. Z’s Vitamins – ZARY- Chewable Active B12 with Active Folate (L-5-MTHF)

• ZARY by Dr. Z’s Vitamins provides 1000 MCG of Active Chewable B12 with Methylfolate as 800 MCG per tablet, Cherry flavor, count of 90.
• ENERGY: Methyl B- 12 plus Methyl Folate provide ready-to-use active B12 Folate supplement for the body to support methylation process at the cellular level, which provides healthy energy.*
• HEALTHY BRAIN AND NERVES: B12 and Folate support healthy function of the brain tissue and nerve fibers*
• HEALTHY HEART: B12 plus Folate play an important role in the Cardiovascular Health. Active Folate and B12 are helpful if you have MTHFR gene mutation.*
• HIGHEST QUALITY: Chewable B12 with Folate – ZARY – is of the Highest Quality. It is made in the USA at a GMP-Certified and FDA-Registered facility from globally sourced high quality ingredients.
• MONEY-BACK-GUARANTEE: We Care About Your Experience. So, We Offer Money Back Guarantee! Get Full Refund If You Are Not Satisfied. Simply Return the Product Within 30 Days of the Purchase.

References:

1. Qin YY¹, Wang P², Qin JQ¹, Wei AQ¹, Huang P², Lai ZF¹, Lin FQ¹.Prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia during routine physical examination in Guangxi Province, China and related risk factors.J Clin Lab Anal. 2017 Apr 10.
2. Herrmann W¹, Lorenzl S, Obeid R.[Review of the role of hyperhomocysteinemia and B-vitamin deficiency in neurological and psychiatric disorders–current evidence and preliminary recommendations]Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr. 2007 Sep;75(9):515-27.[Article in German]