What is Methylcobalamin?

Methylcobalamin is the activated form of B12 and the preferred form of B12 in patients with MTHFR mutations.  

MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. Deficiency may lead to high levels of homocysteine in the blood and low levels of folate and other vitamins. Those with an MTHFR genetic mutation are often at a higher risk of B12 deficiency and need to supplement. Methylcobalamin is essential for the normal metabolism of folate. Without methylcobalamin, folate cannot be used effectively by the body.

What is the difference between a traditional B12 shot (cyanocobalamin) and methylcobalamin?

Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic, inactive form of vitamin B12 found only in supplements. It is FDA-approved for the treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Methylcobalamin is one of the two natural and bioactive coenzyme forms of vitamin B12 (the other is adenosylcobalamin). It is the most abundant form in human plasma and is also present naturally in foods. Methylcobalamin is the active form of vitamin B12 and doesn’t need an extra step for conversion. Methylcobalamin helps reduce homocysteine to methionine through a methylation process. 

At BreatheSW, we carry both cyanocobalamin and methylcobalamin. Visit our website to schedule, walk-ins are also welcome. 

Vitamin D and Your Health

Research has shown that one of the most important and cost-effective ways to maintain a robust immunity is long-term vitamin D repletion. Vitamin D sufficiency significantly lowers the risk of complications from viral and bacterial respiratory infections. COVID patients with adequate Vitamin D levels are 4x less likely to die than those with low levels. In addition to protecting against infection, Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to help with migraines, psoriasis, and obesity. Patients with obesity, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome have chronic low-grade inflammation and supplementing with Vitamin D has been shown to reduce inflammation and control blood sugar. Patients who are obese or elderly need to supplement with higher amounts of Vitamin D.

Ideally your Vitamin D level should be 50 ng/mL or higher. In a healthy non-obese adult, daily intake of around 5000 IU or 50000 IU once a week is usually adequate. In patients with a BMI of 30 - 39, 10,000 IU a day or 100,000 IU a week may be necessary. And for patients with a BMI of 40 or greater, 20,000 IU a day or 150,000 IU a week maybe needed.

In patients who are acutely ill, a loading bolus of 100,000 - 300,00 IU is recommended, depending on the serum Vitamin D level.

For more detailed information on Vitamin D, please refer to this article published in Nutrients July 2022.

Halotherapy Treatment Guide

The therapeutic benefits of salt have been known for centuries but were not clearly defined until the 1800s, when salt miners in Eastern Europe found they could breathe better while working. Consequently, the general public began spending time in salt mines. In the mid-1900s, the Russians created a device known as a halogenator that grinds pure salt into microscopic particles and disperses them in the air. Modern halotherapy grew out of using this device in a climate-controlled room and has been utilized for several decades throughout Eastern Europe.

In the US, saline - in the form of sinus irrigations, nebulizer treatments, and dry inhalation - is widely recognized by physicians as beneficial to the upper and lower airways. Salt inhalation absorbs allergens and pollutants, accelerates the transportation of mucous, and reduces airway inflammation.

Like any salt therapy, regular use is recommended to see sustained benefits. We recommend 4 sessions a week for patients with chronic conditions such as COPD and cystic fibrosis. Please see the chart below for a general guideline on typical treatment courses for particular conditions.

Apart from helping the airway, halotherapy has been shown to benefit chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The beauty and tranquility of our salt cave are also the perfect settings to stretch, have a massage, and meditate.

Halotherapy Treatment Guide

Asthma: 4 sessions/week for 5 weeks (20 sessions), 1-2 times per year

COPD:* 4 sessions/week for 5 weeks (20 sessions), 2-4 times per year

Cystic Fibrosis:* 4 sessions/week for 5 weeks (20 sessions), 5-7 times per year

Allergies: 3-5 sessions/week for 4 weeks (12-20 sessions), start before season

Cold/Flu: 3 sessions/week for 2 weeks (6 sessions)

Sinusitis: 3 sessions/week for 3 weeks (9 sessions)

Laryngitis: 3 sessions/week for 3 weeks (9 sessions)

Stress/anxiety: 2- 3 sessions/week as needed

Eczema/psoriais: 4 sessions/week for 5-8 weeks (20-32 sessions)

*As these are chronic diseases, patients ideally should treat continuously.

Improvement is still possible with less frequent sessions, however, for best results, consistency and regularity is important, especially until you reach a point where you can enter into a maintenance regime. Once you are on top of the symptoms, they become easier to manage and therefore less frequent sessions are required.