Cyanocobalamin, due to its chemical properties and ease in manufacturing, is the most popular synthetic form of the Vitamin B-12 family. Cyanocobalamin does not occur in nautre, and thus is not used directly by the human body and can only be synthesized by bacteria. However. our enzymes are capable of converting it to active forms such as cofactor methylcobalamin. Cyanocobalamin can be found in pharmaceuticals, supplements, and food additives.
Vitamin B12 has numerous benefits and plays a key role in the metabolism of every cell in the human body. Not only does it affect the functioning of the brain and nervous system, but it also controls the formation of blood cells, DNA synthesis, fatty acid synthesis and energy production. In humans, there are two enzymes known to be dependent on vitamin B12: Methylmalonyl Coe-nzyme A Mutase (MUT) and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransfer-ase (MTR). MUT converts methylmalonylCoA to succinylCoA which is an essential step in the extraction of energy from proteins and fats. MTR converts homocysteine to methionine. Vitamin B12 was first discovered in connection to the disease, pernicious anemia, which disables the secretion of intrinsic factors by the cells in the stomach, affecting the absoprtion of vitamin B12 and causing deficiency. Main symptoms include anemia, gastrointestinal and neurological problems. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause fatigue, edema, and depression. In the 1920s, George Whipple, by accident, discovered that ingesting large amounts of liver could be a cure to pernicious anemia. It was not until 1948 when the active ingredient, cobalamin, in the liver was isolated. Eventually, research and technology deveoped methods for mass production of cyanocobalamin which lead to the modern treatment for the disease.
The recommended daily consumption ranges between 2~3µg per day for an adult. Researches show that adults over the age of 51 are at an increased risk of deficiency.
References: (1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanocobalamin (2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B12
