Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic form of vitamin B12, commonly used in food and supplements. It is necessary for metabolism, blood cell production, and neurological function. It can treat deficiencies caused by malnutrition, anemia, and other conditions. However, it can cause allergic reactions and is contraindicated in certain medical conditions.
Cyanocobalamin is a water-soluble member of the B vitamin family, which is commonly known as vitamin B12. This vitamin does not occur naturally. Instead, it is synthesized by conversion to hydroxocobalamin, which is produced from various strains of bacteria through an exchange of cyanide molecules, and then purified by exposure to activated charcoal. Since this nutrient is considered the most air-stable member of the B vitamin family, it is also the most widely used form of vitamin B12 used in the food and dietary supplement industries.
It should be noted that while cyanocobalamin is recognized as a form of vitamin B12, it is not the only one. In fact, the two terms are not necessarily interchangeable. Vitamin B12 actually represents a class of chemically related vitamins that exhibit similar pharmacological characteristics. Still, since cyanocobalamin is the most stable and easily absorbed form, it is likely to be listed in the ingredient list in a multivitamin bottle where the vitamin B12 content is given.
This substance is sometimes prescribed to treat vitamin B12 deficiencies caused by a variety of conditions. For example, malnutrition, anemia, liver and kidney disorders, and surgical removal of part of the intestines or stomach all contribute to impaired absorption of this nutrient. Also, since the only dietary source of this vitamin comes from animal products, people who eat a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet are at higher risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency. This vitamin is necessary for the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, the production of blood cells, and normal neurological function. Evidence of a deficiency can appear as impaired cognitive performance and even with the development of spinal cord lesions in as little as a few months.
For most people, oral administration of cyanocobalamin is adequate to counteract a deficiency. In cases where poor absorption is a factor, intravenous injection may be considered. Unfortunately, there is an inherent problem with this method. Although the vitamin is taken up quickly from the injection site, it tends to latch on to certain proteins in the liver just as quickly. In fact, serum levels peak within an hour of injection and anywhere from 50 to 98 percent of the vitamin is excreted in the urine within the next 48 hours.
There are also a number of side effects associated with increased cyanocobalamin supplementation. People who are sensitive to cobalt will likely experience an allergic reaction to this form as vitamin B12 and will experience symptoms ranging in severity from hives to swollen tongue. Medicinal use of this compound is also contraindicated when there is a history of renal disease, Leber’s disease, or megaloblastic anemia.
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