Vitamin B12: Which form is the best?

What B12 are you using?

More than likely you are using Cyanocobalamin (Cyanide + B12).  Cyanocobalamin is the most commonly supplemented form of vitamin B12.  The interesting thing is that you will at no point find this type of B12 in nature or in your body.  Countless supplement companies throw around claims about how natural their supplements are, when in fact they are not natural at all.  The word “natural” on a label essentially means nothing.  Go ahead check your B12 containing supplements, let’s see what kind you are pumping into your body.

Most people are familiar with cyanide as a poisonous substance; in fact cyanide is thought to be a primary chemical considered by those with terrorist intentions.  When a person ingests cyanocobalamin they must detox the cyanide portion via the liver with the help of your master antioxidant glutathione.  Doesn’t this sound odd?  You are putting something into your body that is supposed to help you, yet it causes more work and unneeded stress on your liver.  Glutathione is already hard enough to come by, please do not waste it by forcing its use in ridding your body of the byproducts of your supplements and energy drinks.

The Best Forms of B12

Methylcobalamin (Methyl group + B12) the most active form of B12 seems to be better absorbed and retained in our tissues in higher amounts than the synthetic cyanocobalamin.  Methylcobalamin is used much more efficiently by the liver, brain and nervous system.   When thinking about supporting your nervous system, methylcobalamin should be your first stop.  Methylcobalamin is also very important in the metabolism of the inflammatory protein homocysteine.  If homocysteine is not kept in check diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk significantly increases.  The methyl group that is attached to B12 is very important in the process of detoxification in the liver.  Many people do not do a good job when it comes to methylation and this can lead to brain fog, fatigue, toxin build up, headaches, and decreased athletic performance.  Methylcobalamin can help with this. Methyl B12 + 5MTHF includes a concentrated and bioavailable source of two key B vitamins: B12 and folate. B Energized combines activated forms of vitamins B2, B6, and B12; benfotiamine, a fat soluble, more physiologically active form of thiamin; and folate as Quatrefolic®.

Adenosylcobalamin (dibencozide) is a naturally occurring form of vitamin B12 that also supports the nervous system and detoxification.  But for athletes it has a particularly beneficial role in supporting branched chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism and utilization as an energy source in the Kreb’s cycle.  The Kreb’s cycle is a major player in ATP production, the currency by which all human movement is enabled.

B12 for Cyanide Poisoning

In case you do get acute cyanide poisoning you would do well to consume 5-20grams of Hydroxocobalamin.   Hydroxocobalamin is another naturally occurring type of vitamin B12 that also plays a large role in energy production and detoxification.  A report published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine in 2007 showed a 71% patient survival rate after treatment with hydroxocobalamin after cyanide poisoning.   It is now recommended as first line therapy for cyanide poisoning. B12 Squared combines two forms—adenosylcobalamin and hydroxocobalamin—of the cobalamin family of compounds to yield 2,500 mcg of non-methylated B12.

Elite Fuel is the only pre-workout supplement I know of that contains both Methylcobalmin and Adenosylcobalmin.   Elite Fuel is about enhancing performance in the midst of optimizing health for the long term.  Accept no substitutes!