Bevitamel Sublingual

Functions

Melatonin is a natural hormone nutrient that is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan by the pineal gland located in the middle of the brain. Melatonin also occurs in small amounts in a variety of foods. In the body, melatonin appears to regulate sleep/wake cycles, support normal immune function, and protect cells from free radical damage. Most of the research on melatonin has focused on its role in maintaining normal sleep/wake rhythms. The perception of daylight in the eyes is a signal for the pineal gland to inhibit melatonin synthesis and release. At night or in the dark, the body’s melatonin production rises. The rise in plasma melatonin is thought to be responsible for allowing normal sleep. Nocturnal melatonin production is highest in children and begins to decline from adolescence on until it is virtually absent in the elderly.

Melatonin supports normal immune function by helping maintain the activity of circulating natural killer cells. It also has been found to function as an antagonist for stress-induced immunosuppression. Melatonin is considered a potent antioxidant that enters all body cells to help prevent free radical damage. In the brain, melatonin is perhaps the most important physiological antioxidant. Due to its lipid and water-soluble properties, it can freely cross the blood-brain barrier. In vitro studies show that melatonin is more effective than glutathione in scavenging toxic hydroxyl radicals, and also more efficient than vitamin E in neutralizing peroxyl radicals which can induce DNA damage. Furthermore, melatonin stimulates the main antioxidant enzyme of the brain, glutathione peroxidase. Absorbed melatonin entering the blood stream is rapidly metabolized by the liver and the breakdown products are excreted by the kidneys. The half-life of conventional oral melatonin preparations is 20-50 minutes. Westlake Laboratories’ Bevitamel sublingual Melatonin is designed to release its melatonin quickly rather than into the small intestine over a period of time. This results in a more rapid and
elevation of blood melatonin levels.

Vitamin B12 in Bevitamel is essential for normal metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and protein. As a cofactor for methylmalonyl-CoA mutase enzymes, vitamin B12 helps convert odd chain fatty acids and branched chain amino acids into succinyl-CoA, a common citric acid cycle intermediate. Vitamin B12 is also required for nucleic acid (DNA) synthesis, methionine synthesis from cysteine, and normal myelin synthesis in the nervous system. Along with vitamin B6 and folic acid, adequate levels of vitamin B12 are required to maintain normal plasma homocysteine levels. Certain populations, including the elderly, those with HIV/AIDS, and strict vegetarians are often at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency, either due to low dietary intake or impaired absorption. Most of the vitamin B12 found in supplements is in the form of cyanocobalamin. While cyanocobalamin is an excellent source of vitamin B12, studies indicate that methylcobalamin, a coenzyme form of B12, may be better utilized and better retained in the body. Other studies indicate that methylcobalamin itself may play important roles in supporting neurological and immune health.

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Indications

Sublingual bevitamel tablets may be a useful nutritional adjunct for individuals who wish to support the body’s pineal gland function. Methylcobalamin may be a useful nutritional adjunct for individuals who wish to increase their intake of vitamin B12.

Formula

Melatonin ... 1 or 3 mg
Vitamin B12 ... 1,000 mcg
(methylcobalamin)
Other ingredients: Purified water, natural glycerin, sodium benzoate, natural cherry flavor

Suggested Use

As a dietary supplement, take 1/2 to 1 tablet before bedtime as needed or as directed by a physician. Tablets are scored to allow convenient administration of half dose increments.

Side Effects

Warning: Not to be taken by individuals under the age of 18, except under direction of a physician. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any prescription medication (especially hormone replacement therapy), or have an autoimmune or depressive disorder consult a physician before using this product. Long-term use of melatonin has not been studied. Use of this product could cause hypothermia. Do not use before or while operating a motor vehicle or heavy machinery.

How Supplied

Supplied in bottles of 60 tablets, 1 mg each. Packed 12 bottles per case.

References

Alvarez B, Dahlitz M, Vignau J, Parkes JD: The delayed sleep phase syndrome: Clinical and investigative findings in 14 patients. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1992;55:665-670.
Armstrong SM, Redman JR: Melatonin: A chronobiotic with anti-aging properties? Med Hypotheses 1991;34:300-309.
Beck-Friis J, Kjellman BF, Aperia B et al: Serum melatonin in relation to clinical variables in patients with major depressive disorder and a hypothesis of a low melatonin syndrome. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1985;71:319-330.
Bismar K, Morgensen L, Wetterberg L: Depressed melatonin secretion in patients with nightmares due to beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug. Acta Med Scand 1987;221:155-158.
Dahlitz M, Alvarez B, Vignau J et al: Delayed sleep phase syndrome response to melatonin. Lancet 1991;337:1121-1124.
Lieberman HR: Behavior, sleep and melatonin. J Neural Transm Suppl 1989;21:233-241.
Lissoni P, Barni S, Cattaneo G et al: Clinical results with the pineal hormone melatonin in advanced cancer resistant to standard antitumor therapies. Oncology 1991;48:448-450.
Maestroni GJM, Conti A, Pierpaoli W: Role of the pineal gland in immunity: Circadian synthesis and release of melatonin modulates the antibody response and antagonizes the immunosuppressive effect of corticosterone. J Neuroimmunol 1986;13:19-30.
Maurizi CP: The therapeutic potential for tryptophan and melatonin: possible roles in depression, sleep, Alzheimer’s disease and abnormal aging. Med Hypotheses 1990;31:233-242.
Petrie K, Conaglen JV, Thompson L, Chamberlain K: Effect of melatonin on jet lag after long haul flights. Br Med J 1989;298:705-707.
Petrie K, Dawson AG, Thompson L, Brook R: A double-blind trial of melatonin as a treatment for jet lag in international cabin crew. Biol Psychiatry 1993;33:526-530.
Waldhauser F, Weiszenbacher G, Tatzer E et al: Alterations in nocturnal serum melatonin levels in humans with growth and aging. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1988;66:648-652.
Waldhauser F, Waldhauser M, Lieberman HR et al: Bioavailability of oral melatonin in humans. Neuroendocrinology 1984;39:307-313.
Boushey CJ, Beresford SAA, Omenn GS, Motulsky AG. A quantitative assessment of plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for vascular disease - Probable benefits of increasing folic acid intakes. JAMA 1995;274:1049-1057.
Curtis D, Sparrow R, Brennan L, Van Der Weyden MB. Elevated serum homocysteine as a predictor for vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. Eur J Haematol 1994;52:227-232.
Ehrenpreis ED, Carlson SJ, Boorstein HL, Craig RM. Malabsorption and deficiency of vitamin B12 in HIV-infected patients with chronic diarrhea. Dig Dis Sci 1994;39:2159-2162.
Flynn MA, Irvin W, Krause G. The effect of folate and cobalamin on osteoarthritic hands. J Am Coll Nutr 1994;13:351-356.
Harriman GR, Smith PD, Horne MK, et al. Vitamin B12 malabsorption in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Arch Intern Med 1989;149:2039-2041.
Jalaludin MA. Methylcobalamin treatment of Bell's palsy. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1995 Oct;17(8):539-44.
Nishizawa Y, Yamamoto T, Terada N, Fushiki S, Matsumoto K, Nishizawa Y. Effects of methylcobalamin on the proliferation of androgen-sensitive or estrogen-sensitive malignant cells in culture and in vivo. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1997;67(3):164-70.
auma AL, Törrönen R, Hänninen O, Mykkänen H. Vitamin B-12 status of long-term adherents of a strict uncooked vegan diet ("living food diet") is compromised. J Nutr 1995;125:2511-2515.
Saltzman JR, Kemp JA, Golner BB, Pedrosa MC, Dallal GE, Russell RM. Effect of hypochlorhydria due to omeprazole treatment or atrophic gastritis on protein-bound vitamin B12 absorption. J Am Coll Nutr 1994;13:584-

Disclaimer

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

We at Westlake labs take heavy metal contamination seriously and thus test our products routinely to assure quality. We offer a survey compared to big box store brands randomly obtained over the last year.