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Histamine Well Podcast: Exploring Histamine, Methylation & Holistic Health · Joanne Kennedy

34. Vitamin B12 Explained: Forms, Methylation, Homocysteine & Absorption

·48 min·2 clips
The methyl in methylcobalamin doesn't boost your methylation—your body strips it all away and rebuilds what it needs.
The Histamine Well episode 34 features scientist James Bradshaw discussing vitamin B12 and methylation with host Joanne Kennedy. The episode addresses the common paradox of patients feeling terrible despite 'normal' B12 test results. James explains that most commercial B12 supplements use cyanocobalamin—a synthetic form containing cyanide that the body excretes three times faster than natural forms. The key insight: regardless of B12 form consumed, the body strips away all attached chemical groups, reduces cobalamin to its bare element, and then rebuilds whichever form the cell needs based on its function. This means methylcobalamin supplements don't automatically enhance methylation as marketing claims suggest. Genetic variation matters: the transcobalamin 2 gene favors adenosylcobalamin for transport while cells internally prefer methylcobalamin (67 times faster processing). Some people with genetic variants can only tolerate hydroxycobalamin. James shares a patient case where a woman diagnosed with ADHD on Vyvanse was actually severely over-methylating; adjusting B12 supplementation to reduce methyl status allowed her to discontinue psychiatric medication. The episode concludes with practical supplement selection: avoid cyanocobalamin, try methylcobalamin or adenosylcobalamin for most people, and if methyls cause problems, switch to hydroxycobalamin.

As heard by us

B12 is treated as a pathway, not a pill label.

Vitamin B12 is treated here as something more than a lab number or a quick fix. Joanne Kennedy and scientist James Bradshaw walk through why someone can look normal on paper and still feel tired, foggy, flat, anxious, or tingly.

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Why you'd press play

Why your B12 form may not be doing what the label promises.

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