Methylcobalamin is a type of Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 comes in several kinds including hydroxy-, cyano-, and adenosyl-, but only the methyl form is used in the central nervous system.
Methylcobalamin is water-soluble and easy to give as a pill. It is used in treating diabetic neuropathy. As shown in the references below, it does not have the same effect as a regular (cyano-) B-12 supplement.
"Deficiency states are fairly common and vitamin B12 deficiency mimics many other disease states of a neurological or psychological kind, and it causes anemia. Cyanocobalamin (the kind in vitamin supplements) is converted by the liver into methylcobalamin but not in therapeutically significant amounts." (From website link below)
- Jasper's Page
- Methylcobalamin and Diabetic Neuropathy, Fujuiya et al.
- Where to buy Methyl-B12 (Laurie and Jasper)
- FDMB discussion on more recent sources and forms of Methyl-B12