Last May I wrote a piece titled Undiagnosed Cobalamin Deficiency in the Face of COVID-19: An unrecognized comorbidity and silent killer. It was placed on my website and was sent to major news outlets. No response, no coverage, no mentions.
I came across an exciting article this week on Pub Med, published by IUBMB Life, October 18, 2020, International Union of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. The article, Vitamin B12 may inhibit RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase activity of nsp12 from the SARS-CoV-1 virus, by Deepak T. Nair & Naveen Narayanan is a must read (see below for the link). Their study suggests that methylcobalamin may inhibit RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase activity of the SCV2-nsp12 enzyme. This enzyme is critical for the replication of the COVID-19 virus. Therefore, using methyl-B12 may inhibit viral replication of the COVID-19 virus, possibly resulting in lower viral titers and reduced severity of COVID-19 disease.
I have been pushing for sublingual methylcobalamin or injectable hydroxocobalamin in patient care protocols as well as in high-risk groups such as the elderly, diabetics and those with other comorbidities, as well as hospital and other medical personnel. Unfortunately, my research, information, books, and website have fallen on deaf ears. Remember, around 20% of the public are low or deficient in B12, and it’s more prevalent in older adults. The immune systems of these patients are more vulnerable to contract COVID-19 and compromise their health. Most medical providers are not testing their patients and have no idea this silent killer (low B12) is present. Nor do they know that B12 deficiency combined with COVID-19 can prove increasingly more deadly. Hopefully this post will go viral and finally push B12 into the spot light.
I urge each hospital to develop a Cobalamin-COVID-19 protocol. Those hospitalized with COVID-19 should be receiving hydroxocobalamin injections or high dose sublingual methylcobalamin tablets. No one should receive cyanocobalamin pills or injections. Those hospitalized need to have serum B12, homocysteine, and MMA tests ordered. Cobalamin therapy should be started immediately, regardless of test results. Why test if we advocate treating anyway? Evidence is needed for further research to ascertain what percentage of COVID-19 patients demonstrate low B12 via these lab tests.
It is beyond time that medical providers, healthcare institutions, public health officials (e.g. WHO, NIH), and governmental leaders wake up and study the evidence and protect the public. It is incomprehensible that this disorder is being continually ignored and allowed to silently harm millions, especially since injectable hydroxocobalamin and sublingual methylcobalamin are readily available and cheap.
I strongly suggest hospital front line workers to begin sublingual methylcobalamin as a preventative measure. If they then contract COVID-19, this may help to lessen viral replication, preventing prolonged or more severe illness, vascular clots, and reducing the chances of hospitalization or prolonged hospitalization. Narayanan and Nair’s article further proves the value of proper cobalamin therapy. Cobalamin may be the missing link in helping to reduce viral titers and reduce the severity of COVID-19 disease.
I can be reached at B12Awareness.org for further consultation.