Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12), Vitamin B6, Betaine and Folic Acid – Effects on Weight and Fat Loss by Dr. Mauro DiPasquale
There is so much to say about the effects that Folic acid, Vitamin B6 and methylcobalamin, the biologically active form of B12, has on metabolism, macronutrient metabolism, energy systems, and on combating the adverse effects of pollution and mercury toxicity, that it would take a book to document it all!
Suffice it to say that the health effects of all three of these B vitamins have been extensively documented. And that several of the medical parameters, such as homocysteine, cholesterol and C – reactive protein, markers of heart disease and inflammation in the body, are decreased by the use of hefty doses of these vitamins, and by some of the other ingredients in LipoFlush, including betaine (trimethylglycine – three methyl groups attached to the amino acid glycine).
Besides acting as a precursor for methionine, choline and carnitine, betaine has other useful properties. Betaine has been shown to protect tissues under stress, regulate fatty acid metabolism, reduce body fat in animals, and be useful in the prevention of chronic diseases.1 Betaine also acts as an important methyl donor.
Methyl donors are important for the methylation reaction, which adds a methyl group (one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms), on proteins, enzymes, chemicals, DNA, and amino acids like homocysteine. Methylation is important for maintaining many functions in the body including genetic expression, and neurological and musculoskeletal function.
:: LipoFlush :: contains a number of ingredients involved in methylation, including high doses of vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin – the biologically active form of B12 that has an added methyl group – the synthetic B12, cyanocobalamin, a much cheaper form of B12 with a cyanide molecule, has to be metabolized to methylcobalamin in the body), folic acid, B6, betaine, choline and lecithin. These ingredients optimize macronutrient metabolism and help maximize muscle mass and decrease body fat, often acting synergistically to achieve their effects.2 As well, they decrease serum levels of homocysteine, cholesterol and C-Reactive proteins, markers and mediators of heart disease and inflammation in the body.3,4
References:
1 Craig SA. Betaine in human nutrition. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Sep;80(3):539-49.
2 Holm PI, Ueland PM, Vollset SE, Midttun O, Blom HJ, Keijzer MB, den Heijer M. Betaine and folate status as cooperative determinants of plasma homocysteine in humans. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2005 Feb;25(2):379-85. Epub 2004 Nov 18.
3 de Maat MP, Trion A. C-reactive protein as a risk factor versus risk marker. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2004 Dec;15(6):651-7.
4Alfthan G, Tapani K, Nissinen K, Saarela J, Aro A. The effect of low doses of betaine on plasma homocysteine in healthy volunteers. Br J Nutr. 2004 Oct;92(4):665-9.
:: Dr. Mauro Di Pasquale :: is one of the most influential voices on diet, performance and athletic training in the world. His innovative work in finding safe nutritional alternatives to anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs has won him praise from athletes, trainers and fitness experts around the globe. Dr. Di Pasquale was a world-class athlete for over 15 years, winning the World Championships in powerlifting in 1976 and world games in 1981.
