The supplemental form of B12 gets absorbed much easier through supplements than food. This ensures the body gets this crucial vitamin over other nutrients that have passed through at the same time. Once there, the receptors in the small intestine give the corrinoids (Vitamin B12) first priority to absorb. These separated corrinoids attach one more time to a different form of IF and heads to its destination in the small intestine. IF then enters the small intestine bound to Vitamin B12 and gets separated once again into a group called corrinoids (a class of cobalamins, aka Vitamin B12). Once the B12 detaches from the protein in the stomach, it’s picked up by a different protein molecule called intrinsic factor (IF). Before it enters the small intestine, it has to detach in the stomach. This B12 is protein-bound, meaning it attaches itself to a protein molecule for transport. For example, when a person eats meat, the Vitamin B12 in that animal’s tissue enters the stomach. Since humans still eat ani mals, they get Vitamin B12 through their food. The latter being the most common practice in our world today. The most prominent source of Vitamin B12 is found in animals products.Īnimals get the B12 in two ways: eating grass that has B12 in the soil or through supplementation in their feed. Absorption to excretion ratio (what stays and what leaves the body)ĭue to these criticisms and recent research, cyanocobalamin is now an inferior form of supplementation to methylcobalamin.Bioavailability due to its complex breakdown process (how effectively it absorbs into your cells).Although more recently, criticisms in the scientific community have started to surface about its: The synthetic nature of this form requires more steps in the breakdown of Vitamin B12 and could potentially cause absorption issues.Ĭyanocobalamin is used in supplements for years due to its proposed effectiveness. It is also the only form of Vitamin B12 that gets created in a lab setting. This cyanide group is the same as the poisonous cyanide you’ve heard of before, but irrelevant to the body at the levels found in Vitamin B12. The only synthetic form of Vitamin B12, cyanocobalamin differs greatly than other forms because its chemical structure contains cyanide. Methylcobalamin is also the most common form of B12 found in animal foods, which is why meat eaters don’t need to supplement. This methyl group makes it the most active form of Vitamin B12 in the body. This form has a chemical structure that has a methyl group, which consists of a hydrogen and oxygen molecule. In other words, it’s readily available to positively interact with our cells. Methylcobalamin is the best absorbed form of supplemental B12 in the body because it is bioactive. These two forms differ in a couple of key areas explained below. In supplements, it comes in two primary forms: methylcobalamin or cyanocobalamin. Vitamin B12 is the largest and most complex vitamin we know today.
The Two Forms of Vitamin B12 You Need to Know Now that you understand the role of Vitamin B12, there are two forms forms of the vitamin that are found in fortified foods and supplements. Cobalt is actually what gives Vitamin B12 its natural red color. It gets this name because it’s the only known vitamin that has the form of the metal “cobalt” and still reacts with humans, plants, and animals. In the scientific community, Vitamin B12 is referred to as a cobalamin. However, since harmful pesticides and power washing are now regular occurrences, these organisms are rarely found in our food supply anymore. Once upon a time when modern agriculture was unheard of, these organisms thrived in our soils and mountain streams.
This fundamental vitamin actually originates from microorganisms that blanket the earth. These functions include red blood cell formation, nerve cell repair, and DNA synthesis.Įach of these processes are vitally important to maintaining health throughout your life. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays several pivotal roles in the human body.
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