Product code: P2208
What is cyanocobalamin?
Cyanocobalamin is used as a source of cobalamin (vitamin B12). Vitamin B12 is an important water-soluble B-Vitamin containing cobalt.
Why choose cyanocobalamin over other forms?
Although cyanocobalamin contains a cyanide molecule (which sounds quite scary!), the amount that would be present in a typical dose of vitamin B12 would be too low to be harmful. Once the cyanocobalamin is converted into the active form of vitamin B12, the cyanide is excreted in the urine.
Cyanocobalamin would be used over methyl cobalamin because of it is more stable and cost effective than methyl cobalamin. Unlike methyl cobalamin, cyanocobalamin is permitted for food fortification in the EU because of its stability.
It is permitted for use in both fortified foods (covered by Regulation 1925/2006) and food supplements (covered by Directive (2002/46/EC).
Cyanocobalamin is also permitted for use in Infant formulae and follow-on formulae, foods for special medical purposes, total diet replacements for weight control and processed cereal-based foods and baby foods for infants and young children as per Regulation 609/2013.
The Importance of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 has particular importance in vegan and vegetarian diets because it is found almost exclusively in animal foods, for example liver, kidney, oily fish, red meats, white fish, eggs, and dairy products. The B12 found in these animal products is not actually produced by the animals themselves but by bacteria.
Our cyanocobalamin is produced by fermentation using the strains Pseudomonas denitrificans or Ensifer adhaerens. Although it might often be argued that we should be getting most of our nutrients from our foods, without the need for supplementation or fortification of vitamins, there is a good argument for why fortification/supplementation of vitamin B12 could be necessary. We live much more sanitary lives now (thanks to food safety!), which means we are not getting vitamin B12 from bacteria as we might have done historically when water supplies were less sanitary.
People can become deficient in vitamin B12 despite having adequate intake in the diet because they might have troubles absorbing it. Vitamin B12 is absorbed in the lower part of the small intestine but can only be absorbed if a special carrier protein called intrinsic factor is present. Deficiency of vitamin B12 could develop not just from insufficient B12 in the diet, but also from insufficient amounts of intrinsic factor; this could occur from several conditions relating to the digestive system.
Elderly people are commonly at risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency because of low intake, combined with malabsorption linked with a reduction in the amount of hydrochloric acid that is produced in the stomach.
Vitamin B12 plays an important role in red blood cell formation; deficiency can lead to pernicious anaemia which is associated with feelings of tiredness and fatigue.
Toxicity/Safety/Upper Limit
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin and can therefore be excreted in the urine, but unlike other water-soluble vitamins it can be stored in the liver. It’s the body’s ability to store vitamin B12 that means it can be administered as an injection only once a month (in the NHS as a treatment for B12 deficiency).
Although toxicity of vitamin B12 is rare, itchy rash and diarrhoea are known toxic side effects. The UK Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals have advised an upper safe level of 2000mcg (2mg) however other member states might have significantly lower advised upper limits so it is important to check with local legislation for the market in which the product is intended to be sold in.
Health Claims
Vitamin B12 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism
Vitamin B12 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system
Vitamin B12 contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism
Vitamin B12 contributes to normal psychological function
Vitamin B12 contributes to normal red blood cell formation
Vitamin B12 contributes to the normal function of the immune system
Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue
Vitamin B12 has a role in the process of cell division
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