Homocysteine Nutrients - 60 capsules

Homocysteine Nutrients is a targeted combination of four active B vitamins in a single capsule: riboflavin (B2) as R-5-P, vitamin B6 as P-5-P, folate as Quatrefolic® methylfolate and vitamin B12 as methyl- and adenosylcobalamin. Folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 contribute to normal homocysteine metabolism; homocysteine is a metabolic by-product that the body converts and clears with the help of these vitamins. People choose this product when their homocysteine level came back on the high side in a blood test, when they have an MTHFR variant, or when they want to support their methylation in a targeted way. Seeking Health is the brand of Dr Ben Lynch, known for his work on methylation and genetic variants such as MTHFR. The brand uses only active, body-identical forms of vitamins (such as P-5-P, R-5-P, methylfolate or folinic acid, and methyl-, adenosyl- or hydroxocobalamin), has every batch tested by an independent laboratory and avoids unnecessary excipients, artificial colours and flavours, and common allergens.

Homocysteine is an amino acid that forms when methionine from protein-rich food is broken down. The body normally converts it back quickly via two routes: remethylation to methionine (which requires folate, vitamin B12 and riboflavin) and transsulfuration to cysteine (which requires vitamin B6). If you get too little of these vitamins, or if your body converts folic acid poorly (for example because of an MTHFR variant), homocysteine can rise. Folate, vitamin B6 and B12 contribute to normal homocysteine metabolism; that is why exactly these vitamins are included in this product in their active forms.

Per capsule: 25 mg riboflavin as riboflavin-5'-phosphate (R-5-P), 25 mg vitamin B6 as pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (P-5-P), 800 µg folate as Quatrefolic® (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt and 1,000 µg vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin. These are the forms in which the body itself uses the vitamins, so they do not need to be converted first, as is necessary with ordinary folic acid, pyridoxine HCl and cyanocobalamin. Other ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable capsule (HPMC), ascorbyl palmitate, L-leucine and silica. Free from gluten, dairy, soy, egg, nuts, fish and shellfish; suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Take 1 capsule per day with breakfast or lunch, or as advised by your practitioner. Do not take it within 5 hours of going to bed: active B vitamins can have a mildly stimulating effect and may make it harder for sensitive people to fall asleep. A bottle of 60 capsules lasts 2 months at 1 per day. If you are sensitive to methylated vitamins, start with one capsule every other day, or open the capsule and take half.

A B complex (such as B Complex Plus) contains all eight B vitamins in maintenance doses. Homocysteine Nutrients contains only the four vitamins directly involved in homocysteine conversion, in higher doses, with 800 µg methylfolate and 1,000 µg B12. B-Minus is the opposite: a B complex without folate and B12, designed to be used alongside a separate folate or B12 product. If you want broad supplementation, choose a B complex; if you want targeted support for homocysteine and methylation, choose this product; combining B-Minus with Homocysteine Nutrients is also common.

Methylfolate and methylcobalamin are 'methyl donors'. A small proportion of users, especially those who are sensitive to them, notice restlessness, irritability, headache or poor sleep when starting. In that case build up more slowly (half a capsule, or every other day), take it with food and in the morning, and reduce the dose if it persists. For such reactions Seeking Health often recommends additional niacin (vitamin B3) or a methyl-free alternative such as folinic acid and hydroxocobalamin. Riboflavin can turn the urine bright yellow; this is harmless.

Folate and B12 are particularly important around pregnancy (folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy), but the dose in this product is higher than the standard 400 µg; therefore consult your midwife or doctor, also about combining it with a prenatal multivitamin. For children only on the advice of a practitioner. If you take methotrexate, anti-epileptic drugs, levodopa or other medicines that interact with folate or B6, consult your doctor. A food supplement is not a substitute for a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a medical condition, consult your doctor or practitioner first.

The product contains no gluten, dairy, soy, egg, nuts, fish, shellfish, sugar or artificial colours or flavours and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Store the product tightly closed in a cool, dry and dark place, out of reach of children; refrigeration is not necessary. Best before the date printed on the packaging.