A water-soluble vitamin also known as cobalamin, vitamin B12 is essential to neurological health. Naturally found in meats and eggs, vitamin B12 also is important to several enzymatic reactions within the body. Deficiencies in the vitamin result in dangerous and painful ailments in nerves called neuropathies and in muscles called myelopathies. Sublingual vitamin B12 is placed under the tongue for immediate absorption into the blood. Please consult your health care provider before taking any supplement.
Immediate Absorption
Taking cobalamin under the tongue bypasses absorption through the intestines and an enables immediate absorption into the blood vessels in the mouth. Intestinal absorption requires a carrier molecule called intrinsic factor in order for B12 to be absorbed in the small bowel, according to Ohio State University. Intestinal absorption is a much slower process.
Treatment of Aphthous Stomatitis
Aphthous stomatitis is a common inflammation of the mucosal tissue within the mouth, characterized by painful ulcers on the tongue and on the inside of the lips and cheeks. According to studies published in "Evidence-Based Dentistry" and in the "Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine," 1,000-mcg doses of sublingual vitamin B12 effectively treat recurrent aphthous stomatitis, reducing the number of mouth ulcers.
Preferred Treatment in Malabsorption
According to an article published in "Neurologic Clinics," B12 deficiency is present approximately 70 percent of bariatric surgery patients. Other intestinal malabsorption conditions include atrophic gastritis, Crohn's, pernicious anemia and sprue. Sublingual hydroxocobalamin is the preferred initial treatment to regulate vitamin B12 plasma levels.
References
- "Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine"; Effectiveness of Vitamin B12 in Treating Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial; Ilia Volkov, M.D.; Jan. 1, 2009
- "Neurology in Clinical Practice" 5th ed.; Walter Bradley, M.D. and Robert Daroff, M.D.; 2008
- "Conn's Current Therapy 2010" 1st ed.; Edward Bope, M.D., et al.; 2010
- "Neurologic Clinics"; Neurologic Presentations of Nutritional Deficiencies; Neeraj Kumar, M.D.; February 2010
- "Evidence-Based Dentistry"; Vitamin B12 for the Treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis; Marco Carrozzo, D.D.S.; Jan. 1, 2009
- "BMC Family Practice"; Oral Vitamin B12 Therapy in the Primary Care Setting: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study of Patient Perspectives; Jeff Kwon, M.D., et al.; Feb. 21, 2005
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