Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin B12, including its active form adenosylcobalamin, is used to support or treat peripheral neuropathy, particularly when the neuropathy is due to vitamin B12 deficiency. There is substantial scientific evidence that B12 deficiency can cause neuropathy, characterized by numbness, tingling, and sometimes weakness in the limbs. This occurs because B12 is essential for myelin sheath maintenance and normal nerve function. Several clinical studies and case reports have demonstrated that B12 supplementation (in various forms, including adenosylcobalamin and methylcobalamin) can reverse or improve neuropathic symptoms in individuals with confirmed deficiency.

However, the evidence is less robust for the use of B12 to treat peripheral neuropathy when B12 levels are already normal. Some small studies and open-label trials have explored the use of methylcobalamin (another active form) in diabetic neuropathy and other non-deficiency neuropathies, with mixed results and methodological limitations. There is no strong evidence that adenosylcobalamin is superior to other forms of B12 in this context. Major guidelines recommend B12 supplementation for neuropathy only in the context of deficiency.

In summary, B12 (adenosylcobalamin) is scientifically validated for treating peripheral neuropathy due to B12 deficiency (evidence rating: 5 for deficiency-related neuropathy), but evidence for its use in other types of neuropathy is less convincing (evidence rating: 2-3). The overall rating reflects this balance.

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