NEURO VITAMIN COMPLEX

Does B12 contribute to neurotransmitter production too? Indirectly, yes—and arguably more importantly for long-term brain health. Methylcobalamin promotes myelin basic protein expression through Erk1/2 pathway modulation. Myelin is the fatty sheath that insulates your neurons, allowing electrical signals to travel quickly and efficiently. Think of it as the insulation on electrical wires. B12 deficiency causes that insulation to degrade, leading to the neurological symptoms seen in pernicious anaemia.

Where does folate fit in this picture? Vitamin B9 as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate serves as the methyl donor for methionine synthase—the enzyme that regenerates methionine from homocysteine. This reaction requires B12 as a cofactor and produces S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), which methylates phospholipids in neuronal membranes. Folate also supports purine and pyrimidine synthesis for DNA production in dividing neural stem cells. When you're building or repairing brain tissue, you need folate. The full range of nootropic compounds works together here.

Which brain regions were protected? Douaud et al. (2013) published a follow-up analysis in PNAS examining grey matter specifically. B vitamins protected the regions most affected by Alzheimer's disease—medial temporal lobe, hippocampus, entorhinal cortex. These are memory centres. The neuroprotective effect was confined to participants with elevated homocysteine, confirming the mechanistic link. If your homocysteine was already low, the vitamins didn't do much.

Did cognitive function actually improve? Executive function as measured by the CLOX test stabilised versus placebo (p=0.015). That's significant because MCI often progresses to dementia within a few years. Slowing or stabilising that trajectory has enormous clinical value. The products page features compounds studied in similar rigorous trials.

Should you use active or inactive B vitamin forms? For B12, while cyanocobalamin was used in VITACOG, methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin are the physiologic coenzyme forms. Some data suggests methylcobalamin may more directly support myelin and axonal repair—though robust head-to-head cognitive RCTs are lacking. Many neurology guidelines now treat serum B12 below 250-300 pg/mL as potentially problematic, especially with neurological symptoms.

What's the advantage of 5-MTHF over folic acid? It bypasses the MTHFR conversion step entirely. For those with known polymorphisms or treatment-resistant hyperhomocysteinaemia, 5-MTHF is the only folate form that reliably crosses the blood-brain barrier. This supports using 5-MTHF in any serious neuro vitamin complex formulation. Browse our nootropic products for properly formulated options.

What about high-risk deficiency groups? Several populations are almost guaranteed to benefit from the neuro vitamin complex: long-term metformin users (interferes with B12 absorption), PPI users (reduce gastric acid for B12 release), strict vegetarians and vegans (no dietary B12 source), and malnourished elderly. These groups should be screened before and during any B-vitamin regimen.

How long before you see results? Here's where patience matters. Meaningful effects on brain volume or progression from MCI to dementia likely require 18-24 months of continuous, well-tolerated supplementation with periodic monitoring. Short trials under 12 months are typically underpowered to detect structural or clinical benefits beyond homocysteine changes. Commit to the long haul or don't bother. Explore our full range of cognitive supplements for sustained support.