The best form of Vitamin B12

Luckily, vitamin b12 supplements are available in various forms; you can use them to replenish its deficiency in your body, if you use the best form of vitamin b12, which benefits your body in various ways. 

As you know, cobalamin is one of the most crucial vitamin among B-complex vitamins. Vitamin B12 helps you nourish your neurons and supports the central nervous system. It also promotes the formation of healthy red blood cells and controls homocysteine levels. Therefore, it is imperative for you to live a healthy life.

Vitamin B12 recommended dosage is 2.4 mcg for the general population. Certain reasons participate in its deficiency; poor diet, malabsorption, too much alcohol consumption, poor lifestyle, etc. If you’re vegetarian, pregnant lady, nourishing mother or overaged women then you are more likely to experience its deficiency. 

If your body has low level of vitamin b12, don’t be stressed out, vitamin b12 supplements are sold in the market. You can use them to recover its level in your body. Vitamin b12 supplements are present in both active and inactive forms of vitamin b12. Let’s, delve into the four different forms of vitamin b12 and find out which one is best for you.

Methylcobalamin 

As the name implies, methylcobalamin (CH3-Cobalamin) is the methylated type of vitamin b12. It initiates the methylation cycle via the generation of S-Adenosyl Methionine (universal donor of methyl group) by donating its methyl group during the transmethylation of homocysteine into methionine. This form also involves the formation of mood-stabilizer chemicals and melatonin secretion that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. Likewise, methylcobalamin is the most efficient form of vitamin b12 that participates in your body to kick off a variety of functions.

In Japan, the most preferred form is methylcobalamin that is used to treat vitamin b12 symptoms that arise due to its deficiency. Methylcobalamin is the bio-active form of cobalamin naturally produced in the animal organ meat and various fish species. Thus, methylcobalamin supplements are more expensive than other forms. 

Cyanocobalamin

Cyanocobalamin is the inactive, cheapest, and synthetic form of vitamin b12 but a more stable and highly absorbed form. As the name sounds, cyanocobalamin contains a cyanide group that is strongly bonded with cobalamin. Your body requires 48 hours to convert cyanocobalamin into hydroxocobalamin and then change into active forms methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin forms—your body utilizes energy and glutathione (potent antioxidant) to eliminate the cyanide.

This form puts more pressure on your body’s activities and may lead to depleting glutathione, which prevents your body cells from damaging. You’ll be surprised to know that this form is mostly used because it is available at the cheapest price. 

Adenosylcobalamin

Adenosyl is another bioactive form of vitamin b12 that works in the mitochondria of cells and is also known as mitochondrial form. It helps the mitochondria to produce energy from the breakdown of carbs, protein, and fats. It enables the methylmalonyl-CoA mutase enzyme to convert methylmalonyl-CoA into Succinylcholine CoA (during porphyrin synthesis).

This form is stored in the liver and is also converted into methylcobalamin whenever needed. Adenosylcobalamin supplements are present in your local pharmacy; you can also use the mixture of methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin. 

Hydroxocobalamin

Like, cyanocobalamin, it is an inactive form of vitamin b12 and naturally exists in animal products. This form is also extracted from bacteria by growing bacteria in the lab. It is the best option over cyanocobalamin because it doesn’t carry the cyanide group. 

Hydroxocobalamin readily converts into methylcobalamin (methyl b12) and cyanocobalamin into your body to work out. You know, when methyl b12 donates, its methyl group it converts into hydroxocobalamin, which again carries the methyl group and changes into methyl b12. 

Hydroxocobalamin works as an antidote to cyanide poisoning, also used for the treatment of pernicious anemia and vitamin b12 deficiency. If you’re using cyanocobalamin supplements, also use hydroxocobalamin supplements that may help to reduce the toxic effect of cyanide.

However, doctors prescribe all forms of vitamin b12 to recover vitamin b12 levels in your body. We have looked thoroughly and decided that methylcobalamin is the best form of vitamin b12. 

Conclusion:

Vitamin b12 is present in four forms, two are active, and two are inactive. The inactive forms convert into active forms adenosylcobalamin and methylcobalamin. No doubt’s all forms are good and used as a supplement to accomplish the body’s needs. But methylcobalamin is the preferable form over others because it contains methyl group, high retention rate, and efficiently works in your body.