Lipo-B/MIC: Methionine / Choline Chloride / Cyanocobalamin 25/50/1 mg/mL 

Lipo-Mino: In addition to the Lipotropics blend, Lipo-Mino also contains a mixture of B vitamins which further help to facilitate fat loss and increase energy.

Acceptable routes :  IM

Uses : Energy, weight loss/metabolism

Contraindications/Precautions: There are certain clinical conditions under which Lipo-B (MIC) should be avoided or administered with caution. Some of these conditions include:

• Hypersensitivity: Lipo-B (MIC) is absolutely contraindicated in individuals who have a demonstrated hypersensitivity to any components of the product.

• Acidosis: This can be worsened by methionine administration.

• Liver disease: This may impair the metabolism of the product components.

• Hereditary optic nerve atrophy (Leber's disease): Individuals with Leber's disease may experience a worsening of their symptoms if administered products containing cyanocobalamin.

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects: Lipo-B (MIC) is generally well tolerated in most individuals. As stated earlier, hypersensitivity to any of the product components is one of the adverse reactions that may occur after Lipo-B (MIC) injections. Additionally, toxic effects may occur if Lipo-B (MIC) is administered to individuals with hepatic diseases due to impaired metabolism. Some individuals may also experience generalized non-specific symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness, among others.

Pregnancy:  There are insufficient studies available to ascertain the safety as well as efficacy of Lipo-B (MIC) in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. However, Lipo-B (MIC) should generally not be administered to pregnant or breastfeeding mothers to minimize any risks to the fetus or infant.

General Information: The Lipo-B (MIC) injection is a product that contains a combination of compounds that have been shown to exhibit lipotropic effects. The lipotropic effects facilitate the burning of adipose tissue within the human body which may, consequently, result in some degree of weight loss. Lipo-B injections are typically used as fat loss supplements, in combination with diet and exercise, in weight loss plans. The combination of products that make up the Lipo-B (MIC) injection are methionine, choline, and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12).

Methionine: Methionine is one of the four sulfur-containing amino acids; the other three are cysteine, homocysteine, and taurine. Additionally, it is one of the nine essential amino acids in the human body. As an essential amino acid, it cannot be synthesized de novo by the human body due to a lack of the require metabolic pathway needed for its synthesis. Therefore, methionine has to be exogenously introduced into the human body either within the diet or as a supplement.

Methionine serves several key roles in the human body such as:

• Substrate in the production of critical hormones and proteins including L-cysteine, carnitine, adrenaline, choline, and melatonin, among others.

• Increasing liver production of lecithin which helps lower serum cholesterol levels.

• Provides sulfur which aids development of nails and promotes hair growth.

• Chelating agent which helps get rid of heavy metals such as mercury.

• Provides protection against hepatotoxins such as acetaminophen.

Choline: Choline is an essential nutrient that plays a key role in a number of metabolic pathways in the human body. Even though choline is produced endogenously in the liver, it is still considered an essential nutrient because the quantities produced is not sufficient to meet the body's metabolic needs; as such, dietary supplementation of choline is necessary. Choline can be found in both animal and plant food sources, with animal food sources generally having more choline per gram of food product.

Some functions that choline serves in the body are:

• Production of sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine, which are needed to maintain cell membrane integrity.

• Production of acetylcholine, which is one of the major neurotransmitters in the body.

• Modulation of gene expression and cell membrane signaling.

• Early brain development in fetuses.

Cyanocobalamin: Otherwise known as vitamin B12, cyanocobalamin derives its name from the fact that it has a cyanide group attached to its molecule and also contains the mineral cobalt. It is essential for cellular energy production as well as DNA synthesis. It is an essential water-soluble vitamin and must be obtained from food or as dietary supplements. Some good food sources of vitamin B12 are meat, fish, milk, eggs, and cheese, among others. Some of the roles that cyanocobalamin serves in the body include:

• Cofactor for methionine synthase and L-methymalonyl-CoA mutase.

• Synthesis of methionine from homocysteine.

• Regeneration of tetrahydrofolate from 5-methyltetrahydrofolate.

Mechanisms of Action

Methionine: Methionine exerts its effect in the body through the production of S-adenosylmethionine in the methionine cycle; this process is catalyzed by the enzyme methionine adenosyltransferases. Methionine adenosyltransferases combines methionine, water, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to produce S-adenosylmethionine, pyrophosphates, and inorganic phosphates. S-adenosylmethionine participates in a number of processes in the body such as biotin and polyamine synthesis. It is also involved in the synthesis of phospholipids and some neurotransmitters within the body.  These methylation reactions also regulate gene expression during fetal development. One of the by-products of methionine metabolism is homocysteine which, in high serum quantities, has been linked to developmental disorders, learning disabilities, and skeletal deformities, among others.

Choline: The primary way through which choline acts within the body is through its derivative phosphatidylcholine. The biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine occurs via the CDP-choline pathway. After absorption from the intestine, choline is transported into cells using choline transporters. Within the cells, choline is phosphorylated into phosphocholine or oxidized into betaine; the phosphorylation of choline is catalyzed by the enzyme choline kinase. The final step in this pathway is the conversion of phosphocholine into phosphatidylcholine, a process catalyzed by the enzyme 1,2-diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase. Phosphatidylcholine is a major constituent of all cell membranes within the body and is also required for the biosynthesis of lipoproteins.

Cyanocobalamin: After oral ingestion, cyanocobalamin binds to intrinsic factor as well as other cobalamin binding proteins before absorption. Once absorbed, it binds to plasma proteins before it is transported around the body. Within body tissues, the specific B12 binding proteins transcobalamin I and II facilitate the absorption of cyanocobalamin into the cells. Cyanocobalamin is a cofactor for the synthesis of two major enzymes in the body namely methionine synthase and L-methymalonyl-CoA mutase. L-methymalonyl-CoA mutase converts L-methymalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA, which is essential for the metabolism of protein and fat. Methionine synthase plays a role in the production of purines and pyrimidines, which are building blocks in DNA synthesis.

Pharmacokinetics

Methionine:Methionine is typically ingested oral as part of a food source such as eggs, meat, and fish. It can also be orally ingested as a supplement or parenterally as part of a complex compound. After oral ingestion, absorption of methionine occurs in the small intestine through an active transport process. Following absorption, methionine is then transported to the liver where it is then metabolized. As earlier stated, methionine is an important substrate in the development of a number of products within the body. One of the most essential products of methionine metabolism is S-adenosylmethionine which is important in polyamine and biotin synthesis, phospholipid synthesis, and production of some neurotransmitters. While not entirely clear, methionine is believed to be excreted from the body through urine.

Choline:After oral ingestion, choline is absorbed by enterocytes in the small intestine by means of transporter proteins. It is then transported throughout the body where it is absorbed by cells by both diffusion and cell-mediated transport. Within the tissues, choline undergoes phosphorylation to cytidine diphosphocholine, and from there to phosphatidylcholine. Alternatively, phosphatidylcholine may be produced from the methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine. Some choline is also oxidized to form betaine in the liver and kidney.

Cyanocobalamin:Cyanocobalamin can be administered orally, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously. After oral ingestion, it binds to an intrinsic factor before making its way down the gastrointestinal tract. In the terminal ileum, cyanocobalamin is cleaved from intrinsic factors and is then absorbed by the mucosal cells. In the bloodstream, cyanocobalamin binds to the plasma proteins transcobalamin 1 and 2 before it is transported throughout the body. It has a half-life of about 6 days, with a peak plasma concentration of 8-12 hours after oral administration and is excreted mainly in urine.