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From:	Jeff Novick, MS, RD, LD, LN (novick.vegsource.com)
Subject:	Re: methylcobalamin or cyanocobalamin . . .
Date:	May 6, 2009 at 6:17 am PST

In Reply to: methylcobalamin or cyanocobalamin . . . posted by Leslie on May 4, 2009 at 6:28 pm:

As you can see, there are many form of Vitamin B12.

There are four main forms of cobalamins that are known to be active in humans, adenosylcobalamin, methylcobalamin, cyanocobalamin, and hydroxocobalmin.

The reason why cyanocobalamin is the most common form in supplements and fortified foods because it is the most stable form. This actually has a small amount of cyanide attached to the cobalamin part of the B12 and while for most people it is to small an amount to do any harm, there are some people who must avoid it. People with chronic kidney failure do not detoxify cyanide as well as people with healthy kidneys and so they must avoid this form.

Hydroxocobalamin is the form of B12 typically found in food. There are not many oral forms available in supplements for people to take. This is the form that is normally injected. If anyone knows of any supplements containing this form, please share the info.

In regard to methylcobalamin, if this is what you are looking for, Enyzmatic Therapy B12 Infusion is pure methylcobalamin which was formally sold as "Bioactive-B12", as is Wonder Laboratories Sublingual Vitamin B12 Tablets.

If you do a google search, you may find other brands out there also.

Hope that helps

In Health
Jeff

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