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Methylcobalamin contains vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient which is required by the body to make red blood cells and maintain a healthy nervous system. It is also important for releasing energy from food and using vitamin B11 (folic acid).

You can get vitamin B12 from sources like meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. While people who are vegetarian or vegan may not get Vitamin B12 as it is not found naturally in foods such as fruits, vegetables and grains. Therefore, deficiency of Vitamin B12 is usually noticed in vegetarians or vegans.

Deficiency of vitamin B12 may cause tiredness, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss and megaloblastic anemia (a condition when red blood cells become larger in size than normal). It may also lead to nerve problems such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. Other symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency may include problems with balance, depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory and soreness of the mouth or tongue.

Methylcobalamin should be taken in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. It can be taken with or without food. However, it would be best to take it at the same time each day to avoid the chances of missing a dose.

If you forget a dose of Methylcobalamin, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose in the prescribed time. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one as this may increase the chances of developing side effects.

Methylcobalamin is safe if used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Take it exactly as directed and do not skip any dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and let your doctor know if any of the side effects bother you.

No, Alpha Lipoic Acid is not a vitamin

No, Alpha Lipoic Acid is not an amino acid

Yes, Alpha Lipoic Acid is natural as it is synthesized in the human body, and in a wide variety of foods from plant and animal source

Yes, lipoic acid and Alpha Lipoic Acid refer to the same molecule

It is not yet studied or established in human beings whether ALA supplementation is beneficial for weigh loss

It is not yet studied or established in human beings whether ALA supplementation is good for liver.

Inositol is a cyclic sugar alcohol used to treat intermittent claudication (pain in the legs whilst walking) and Raynaud's phenomenon (pain in limbs when exposed to cold or less blood supply)

It is soluble in water

Inositol doesn't seem to produce any major interaction with the above mentioned drugs. Consult your doctor if you are taking any medications along with inositol

Inositol can help in weight loss and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) but there is no concrete evidence of its efficacy in anxiety

Inositol doesn't seem to have sleep inducing potential

Inositol is not a stimulant per se but it can be a source of energy because it is sugar alcohol. There is no concrete evidence about its ability to lower cholesterol or testosterone

Inositol is naturally occurring carbohydrate in body so chances of it causing adverse effects are minimal but still it is advisable to consult doctor regarding dose and duration of taking inositol.

Usually, folic acid requirements are met from the diet and therefore additional supplements are not required. In general, Folic Acid is recommended only when you have a deficiency of folic acid. However, Folic Acid is advised to women who are pregnant and who want to conceive. The medicine should be taken at least 4 weeks before pregnancy and should continue its use up to 3 months of pregnancy. Consult your doctor if not sure.

Animal studies on Folic Acid suggest that taking the medicine in excess along with a high-fat diet may lead to weight gain and fat accumulation. But this weight gain was not evident when taken along with a normal or low-fat diet, even with excess Folic Acid. In humans, similar studies have not been conducted and therefore knowledge regarding weight gain is lacking. Therefore, if you are on Folic Acid eat a low-fat meal to be on the safer side.

Folic Acid usually starts working within a few hours of taking it. If you are taking it for iron deficiency anemia, you may start feeling better after a few weeks of taking it. In case you are taking it during pregnancy, you may not notice any difference but this does not mean that the dose is not working. Continue taking Folic Acid for the duration recommended by your doctor.

Maintaining the right level of folic acid in the body before getting pregnant reduces the risk of developing neural tube defects in the baby. The neural tube defect, in most cases, is caused if the structure (neural tube) from which the central nervous system develops (brain and spinal cord) in a baby does not form or is only partially closed. full closure of the neural tube occurs during the end of the fourth week of pregnancy. Folic acid helps in the formation of neural tubes. Therefore, to prevent this defect women should start Folic Acid before four weeks of pregnancy.

Yes, you can breastfeed while taking Folic Acid as it is not harmful to the baby. Folic Acid contains folic acid which is naturally found in breast milk. Though its initial levels in breast milk are low, it rises eventually. Since it is actively secreted in breast milk, the mother may take Folic Acid every day to maintain the required levels. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions related to nutrient supplementation in breastfeeding.

You can take Folic Acid any time of the day, but try to take it at the same time each day. This will help you remember to take it. Take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The medicine should be swallowed as a whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, cut or crush the medicine.

Generally, Folic Acid is well tolerated. However, some people may experience nausea (feeling sick), loss of appetite, bloating, and excessive passing of gas. The medicine may also worsen the symptoms of any coexisting vitamin B12 deficiency. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor but do not stop taking Folic Acid.

The duration of treatment with Folic Acid depends on the reason you are taking it for. If you are planning your pregnancy, you may start taking it 4 weeks before pregnancy and continue up to the first 3 months of pregnancy. If you are taking it for folic acid deficiency then you may have to take it for 4 months or longer (if your deficiency does not subside). If you are taking it to reduce the side effects of methotrexate then you may need to take it for as long as you are taking methotrexate. Consult your prescribing physician to know the exact duration of your therapy.

There are no known interactions of selenium with any thyroid preparations such as synthyroid/ levothyroxine/ armour thyroid/ thyroxin. Selenium which is a part of selenoprotein (iodothyronine deiodinases) is essential for the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to the biologically active thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) thereby it is important in thyroid hormone functioning

There are no known interactions of selenium with minerals such as calcium

Yes. Selenium (gluthathione peroxidase) has been reported to support the activity of vitamin E in limiting the oxidation of lipids (fats). Selenium also interacts with zinc (it affects cellular redox status). Selenium can, however, be taken with vitamins/ zinc; the combinations are available as a part of multivitamin preparation

There are no known interactions of selenium with statins. Always follow the advice of the doctor regarding its use

There are no known interactions of selenium with warfarin. Always follow the advice of the doctor regarding its use.

Benfotiamine is a dietary supplement of thiamine. It is also known as Vitamin B1. The medicine is used in the treatment of low levels of thiamine in the body. It protects the body from conditions which are caused due to low levels of thiamine such as heart, brain and nerve disorders.

Benfotiamine contains vitamin B1. This vitamin is needed to process carbohydrates, fat and protein in the body. Our body requires vitamin B1 to form the fuel the body runs on i.e., adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Benfotiamine provides the necessary dose of vitamin B1 which is used by nerve cells in order to function normally.

The levels of vitamin B1 in our body decline with age, irrespective of medical condition. Deficiency is most commonly found in alcoholics, people with malabsorption conditions, and those eating a very poor diet. It is also common in children with congenital heart disease. Individuals undergoing regular kidney dialysis may develop severe vitamin B1 deficiency, which can result in potentially fatal complications. So, it is advisable that persons receiving dialysis should discuss the need for the use of Benfotiamine with their physician.

No, Benfotiamine does not cause weight gain. Some studies suggest that excessive deficiency of vitamin B12 may cause weight loss along with some other problems such as emotional disturbances, weakness or pain in the hands and legs etc. If you are facing weight related issues, consult your doctor.

Yes, Benfotiamine has been proven to be beneficial for diabetic patients. Benfotiamine has also shown positive effects on issues caused by poor blood sugar control. However, it would be best to consult your doctor before using Benfotiamine.