I have always used Solgar Methyl cobalamin B12. I thought this was the same as sub-lingual B12, but after re-ordering it appears Solgar B12 sun-lingual & Methyl Cobalamin are different.
And it does seem the Methyl cobalamin is out of stock in many places.
Is it ok to use the Sub-lingual B12?
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joey82
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I don't think cyanocobalamin is actually inactive - it's just that it's less efficiently processed and/or tolerated by the body. As I understand it, all B12-containing supplements need to be processed by the body into a bioactive form (with the possible exception of adenosylcobalamin). The ease of removal of the "leaving group" (cyano, hydroxo, or methyl) plays a role, as does the subsequent requirement for processing said removed leaving group (a cyano group is the least biologically "friendly").
Happy to be corrected by a biochemist though - this is based on my analytical chemist experiences 😊
Damn, Solgar B12 sublingual is the one I switched to when not taking B complex! It will be interesting to see what my next B12 result is.
Edit: Although the Solgar B Complex I used to use had the same type of B12, and my B12 did in fact improve. Although, I was using Better You spray too. So annoyed at my error.
And, it is that at the minute! I really hope my B12 hasn’t dropped as a result as I decided to pause B Complex and oral spray B12 but continue with folate and B12 supplement separately.
Hi joey82 - it's possible that the sub-lingual B12 is methyl cobalamin. You will be fine to take the sub-lingual, it just might not be as effective 😊
The vitamin B12 has the chemical name "cobalamin". The cobalamin species typically has another small "section" joined to it when it is formulated into tablet (or solution/spray) format. This is - broadly speaking - to make it stable and also easily absorbed and processed by the body.
Different "B12" manufacturers use a different small "section" when they make their tablets/spray. Some make cyano cobalamin (cyanocobalamin) - this is the least "good" for the body (but is OK), some make the one you've got, methyl cobalamin - this is a much better version of B12. There are also hydroxo cobalamin (hydroxocobalamin) and adenosyl cobalamin (adenosylcobalamin) - both are better than cyanocobalamin.
The main reason for the differences is cost.. isn't it always!
[Edited to answer the *actual* question in my first paragraph!]
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