Low blood sugar is a chronic problem in diabetes. Glutamate and nitric oxide toxicity are features of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Taking methylcobalamin everyday may provide immediate protection should a person be suddenly injured or have a stroke. Researchers in Japan demonstrated that chronic application of methylcobalamin to neurons protects them, but in order for the vitamin to work, it has to be ready and available before the injury occurs. The scientific name for B12 is cobalamin.
Cobalamin contains cobalt, a mineral that stimulates the production of red blood cells.
The most common forms of supplemental B12 are cyanocobalamin or hydroxycobalamin. The structure of B12 is very complex, with numerous methyl groups attached. This form may have advantages over the cyano form. In a study on sleep patterns, methylcobalamin seemed to work better than cyanocobalamin. And this form is the B12 used in neuron protection studies.