Vitamin B12 - Cyanocobalamin

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Cyanocobalamin is named for its content of the mineral cobalt which gives the crystalline form its red colour.  It is freely soluble in water and resistant to boiling in neutral solution.  In nature Vitamin B12 usually occurs in combination with protein.

Brand Names

• Alphamin
• Cobex
• Cobolin-M
• Crystamine
• Crysti-12
• Cyanoject
• Cyomin
• Hydrobexan
• Hydro-Cobex
• Hydro-Crysti-12
• Hydroxy-Cobal
• LA-12
• Neuroforte-R
• Nascobal
• Primabalt
• Rubramin PC
• Shovite
• Vibal
• Vibal LA
• Vitabee 12

Physiological Action
It is present in the body in several different forms.  Addisonian or Pernicious Anaemia is the disease associated with Vitamin B12, it is not so much due to a deficiency of the vitamin but an inability to absorb it from the GI tract.  This disease was fatal until cyanocobalamin was isolated and then injected into patients suffering from the disease.

Deficiency
Rare because the liver stores enough of the vitamin to last 5 years or more.  People on strictly vegetarian diets can show signs of deficiency but generally do obtain sufficient amounts of the vitamin from microbacterial action in foods eaten.

Dietary Sources
Vitamin B12 is unique in that it is not found in any plants.  The dietary intake varies according to the amount of animal products consumed.

Importance of diet
For good health, it is important that you eat a balanced and varied diet. Follow carefully any diet program your health care professional may recommend. For your specific dietary vitamin and/or mineral needs, ask your health care professional for a list of appropriate foods. If you think that you are not getting enough vitamins and/or minerals in your diet, you may choose to take a dietary supplement.Vitamin B12 is found in various foods, including fish, egg yolk, milk, and fermented cheeses. It is not found in any vegetables. Ordinary cooking probably does not destroy the vitamin B12 in food.

Recommended Minimum Dietary Intakes

• Children Under 7 0.3 - 1.5 micrograms
• Children  1.5 - 2.0  micrograms
• Adult Men  2.0  micrograms
• Adult women  2.0 micrograms
• Pregnancy  +1.0 micrograms
• Lactation  +0.5 micrograms