99% Of The Vitamin B12 On The Market Contains Cyanide

 

 

Unknown to most consumers, cyanide is found in a wide range of vitamins and foods in a form known as cyanocobalamin.  Fortunately the cyanide has a very low potential to do harm because it is organically bound to cobalamin (vitamin b12) — that is, as long as everything is working correctly and that person hasn’t already been burdened with environmental chemical exposures from cyanide, and related xenobiotic compunds.

Cyanocobalamin is actually found in 99% of the vitamins on the market which contain B12, as it is relatively cheap (recovered from activated sewage sludge or produced through total chemical synthesis), and stable (non-perishable). Despite its wide usage, it is not an ideal form of vitamin b12, as the cyanide must be removed from the cobalamin before it can perform its biological indispensable roles within the body. While there is plenty of research on the potential value of cyanide-bound vitamin B12, it does have potential to do harm.

In fact, when a person is poisoned with cyanide, as sometimes happens following smoke inhalation, and they are rushed to the emergency room, what do they give them to remove the cyanide? Hydroxocobalamin — a natural form of vitamin b12 — which readily binds with the cyanide, becoming cyanocobalmin (which sequesters the cyanide and puts it into a form ideal for detoxification and elimination), which is then rapidly excreted from the body via the lungs and kidneys.

Those with a higher body burden or higher cyanide exposure, such as smokers, are less likely to be able to effectively detoxify the additional cyanide they consume through their diet or supplements, making the seemingly benign levels found in some vitamins and foods a real problem.

Indeed, this is not the first time the question of the potential toxicity of cyanocobalamin has been raised. As far back as 1992, a report was published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine arguing for its withdrawal from use in vitamin therapy. Another study published in 1997 in the journal Blood, found that cyanocobalamin “antagonizes vitamin B12 in vitro and causes cell death from methionine deficiency.”

Cyanide in non-vitamin form, of course, is extremely toxic and a poster child of sorts, among poisons. It only takes 6.44 mg per kilogram, or 1.61 mg to kill 50% of your average-sized (500 gram) rats through the oral route of exposure. The margin of safety (as defined by the LD50) for cyanocobalamin, on the other hand, is approximately 1,000 times higher.

An entirely different approach to maintaining adequate vitamin B12 levels is through supporting the microflora in the gut, as these beneficial bacteria are proficient in producing this indispensable vitamin. Lactobacillus reuteri, for instance, has been studied for its vitamin B12-producing properties.

Other dietary sources of biologically active B12 include white button mushrooms, spirulina and chlorella. The ideal supplemental form of supplemental vitamin B12 is methylcobalamin, which while more expensive, is capable of absorbing efficiently sublingually and is cell-ready as a methyl donor. It should also be noted that the drug category known as proton pump inhibitors (acid blockers for reflux) prevent vitamin B12 absorption and microwaving food deactivates this vitamin, as well.

© November 22, 2017 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.

The post 99% Of The Vitamin B12 On The Market Contains Cyanide appeared first on The Sleuth Journal.

How Does Vitamin B-12 Support Energy and Metabolism?

When you are feeling sluggish and slow what do you do? Many people turn to caffeine in the form of teas, coffees, and energy drinks. These methods may provide temporary relief, but if you feel tired because of a B-12 deficiency, caffeine won’t solve underlying problem. Lack of energy due to a B-12 deficiency is more common than you think. Nearly 40% of Americans are deficient in vitamin B-12.^[1]Since this B vitamin takes part in the production of red blood cells, nerve sheaths, and DNA, you’ll benefit from more than just improved energy levels.^[2] Many people have returned their B-12 levels to normal after being deficient for years. They report feeling more energized and mentally sharp. If you’ve ever considered taking a B-12 supplement to improve your thinking or wellness, then read on.

What Is Vitamin B-12?

B-12 is an essential water-soluble vitamin and is one of the eight B vitamins. While each of these B vitamins influences your health in unique ways, B-12 remains one of the most well-known vitamins. Your body can’t produce B-12 on its own, so you have to get it from food or supplements. Most adults need around 2.4 mcg of B-12 every day to maintain healthy levels.^[1]

Are You at Risk for a Vitamin B-12 Deficiency?

Consuming enough B-12 is easy. Plenty of supplements and foods will provide you with the right daily requirements, but finding out whether or not your body is absorbing the B-12 is a bit more complicated. Carefully calculating your B-12 intake on a daily basis is a great start, but it’s impossible to account for the absorption rate. The most abundant source of B-12 in food is meat and other animal products, which is why vegans have a higher risk for developing a B-12 deficiency. However, many grains, like breakfast cereals, are now fortified with B-12, and vegan B-12 supplements also provide active forms of the vitamin that can be readily used by your cells once absorbed from the digestive tract.^[3]

Ultimately, the only sure way to know if you are deficient in B-12 is by having a trusted healthcare provider check your B-12 levels. However, there are some common warning signs of B-12 deficiency. People who are deficient in B-12 may have difficulty walking, can develop yellow skin, experience muddled thinking, and have a sluggish metabolism.^[4]

How B-12 Supports Energy

The most common side effect of a B-12 deficiency is a persistent lack of energy. Not having the energy to do the things you want can seriously affect your mental and physical well-being, and, compounded over time, may lead to more serious health problems. B-12 works at a cellular level to address the cause of energy loss and will aid your body in regulating long-lasting, healthy energy levels.

There are several ways B-12 supports how energetic you feel. B-12 aids in the formation of the hemoglobin inside red blood cells. These hemoglobin molecules transport oxygen from your lungs to all of the cells in your body, including your muscles, brain, and lungs. Without enough B-12, hemoglobin production ramps down and everything in your body struggles to run with less available oxygen, which accounts for many of those feelings of fatigue and tiredness. In some cases, a lack of B-12 can even contribute to pernicious and macrocytic anemia, where the body is not able to make enough red blood cells or your red blood cells have a low hemoglobin concentration. Even before anemia, lack of B-12 impairs muscle capacity and exercise performance.^[5]

B-12 also regulates energy by helping metabolize food. When you eat food, your body must break it down into usable energy forms. B-12 plays a vital role in metabolizing the fats, proteins, and carbohydrates you consume into energy that your body can then use. Without the right amount of B-12, some of these fats and proteins may go unused and will only pass through your system.^[6]

How B-12 Supports Metabolism

B-12 is not unique in the role it plays in a healthy metabolism. In fact, all vitamins and minerals are involved, at some point, in metabolic reactions. Some are required as cofactors for enzymes. B-12 is a coenzyme, or a key, for an enzyme that leads to the production of succinyl-CoA, one of the steps of the Krebs cycle. Without adequate B-12, you are unable to harvest usable energy from the series of reactions that break sugar down. A consequence of not being able to break down glucose is high blood sugar, which comes with its own health concerns. B-12 is also involved in the metabolism of fats (fatty acids) and proteins. While B-12 won’t boost metabolism for people with normal B-12 levels, supplementation can be immensely beneficial for those that are deficient.^[7, 8, 9]

How to Get Your Energy & Metabolism Back to Normal

If you contend with low energy or a slow metabolism because of a B-12 deficiency, there is hope. You simply need to take in more vitamin B-12. Speak with your healthcare provider to rule out harmful organism overgrowth, poor digestion, or other issues that may hinder B-12 absorption. Harmful overgrowth in the gut microbiota can impede B-12 absorption by separating B-12 from the carrier molecule that protects it from the harsh environment of your digestive system.

To restore balance to your gut and encourage better B-12 absorption, consider a colon cleanse and gut reset. A probiotic supplement is another great option for restoring your gut to a healthier environment and supporting the friendly organisms that live inside your digestive system and help you absorb nutrients like B-12. Probiotics are especially important for older adults who often lack essential acids that are required to absorb B-12.^[9, 10]

Global Healing Center offers the highest quality vegan sourced B-12 supplements available. VeganSafe™ B-12 is a blend of methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin, the two most bioactive and easily absorbed forms of vitamin B-12.

Do you take a B-12 supplement? How does it help you? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts with us.

References (11)

1. Allen, L.H. “How common is vitamin B-12 deficiency?” Am J Clin Nutr. (2009).


2. “Office of Dietary Supplements – Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B-12.” National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 02 May 2017.


3. Antony, A.C. “Vegetarianism and vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) deficiency.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2003;78(1):3-6.


4. Skerrett, Patrick J. “Vitamin B-12 deficiency can be sneaky, harmful.” Harvard Health Blog. N.p., 18 Oct. 2016. Web. 02 May 2017.


5. Lukaski, Henry C. “Vitamin and mineral status: effects on physical performance.” Nutrition, Volume 20, Issue 7. (2004): 632-644.


6. Gropper, Sareen Annora Stepnick, Jack L. Smith, and Timothy P. Carr. “Advanced nutrition and human metabolism.” Boston, MA: Cengage Learning, 2016. Print.


7. Froese, D. Sean, and Roy A. Gravel. “Genetic Disorders of Vitamin B-12 Metabolism: Eight Complementation Groups – Eight Genes.” Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine 12 (2010).


8. Chow, Bacon F., and Howard H. Stone. “The Relationship Of Vitamin B12 To Carbohydrate Metabolism And Diabetes Mellitus.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 5.4 n. pag. Web. 5 May 2017.


9. Pelley, John W., Edward F. Goljan, and John W. Pelley. “Biochemistry.” 1st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby/Elsevier, 2011.


10. Albert M.J., Mathan V.I., Baker S.J. “Vitamin B-12 synthesis by human small intestinal bacteria.” Nature. (1980): 781-782.


11. Bender, A. Douglas. “Effect Of Age On Intestinal Absorption: Implications For Drug Absorption In The Elderly.” Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 16.12 (1968): 1331-339. Web.

7 Important Functions Of Vitamin B12

It’s estimated nearly 40% of the American population suffers from B12 levels that are too low. ^[1] With low B12 levels, your brain doesn’t work quite right and more often than not you’re suffering from chronic fatigue. But vitamin B12 does more than just support healthy energy levels. Its multiplexity of functionality is mirrored in its wide range of health benefits. The question is, are you getting enough?

The Seven Most Important Functions of Vitamin B12

Many people receive vitamin B12 injections on a regular basis to provide a boost in their energy levels. While it’s true that B12 does support energy, that’s not the entire picture. Here’s 7 functions of vitamin B12 and why you need this crucial nutrient.

1. Supports Energy

Vitamin B12 plays a key role in how your body creates energy. It keeps your cells fed, happy, and healthy. Without it, your cells get hungry and you feel weak, tired, and like you’re dragging all the time. The nutrient releases energy into the cell and provides you with the appropriate balance you need for thinking and moving throughout your day.

     2. Protects the Heart

Your heart and entire cardiovascular system needs B12. One of its jobs is to remove a dangerous protein called homocysteine from the blood. If homocysteine is allowed to roam through blood, it damages your arteries leading to inflammation and heart disease. Get enough B12 and you’ll keep homocysteine levels down and your heart happy.

3. Your Bones Need It

Studies have found patients with osteoporosis have higher levels of homocysteine and low levels of B12 than people with strong, healthy bones. ^[2] Could B12 be a viable adjunct to future osteoporosis approaches? If you suffer from osteoporosis or similar bone issues, speak to your doctor about getting your vitamin B12 levels tested.

4. Prevents Nerve Damage

Your nerves have a protective covering to keep them safe from toxins and free radicals in your blood. Without these coverings, called myelin sheaths, exposed nerves get damaged and may even die. These dead nerves disrupt signals to and from the brain and may play a role in nerve-related conditions. Vitamin B12 supports the way your body replenishes this protective covering.

5. Improves Mood and Outlook

Your brain uses a chemical called serotonin to regulate your mood. If you aren’t getting enough B12, you may find yourself feeling down. One study of diabetic patients experiencing side effects of depression from Metformin found those who took B12 enjoyed a more positive outlook. ^[3]

6. Protects Brain Health

Researchers have noted Alzheimer’s patients have much lower levels of B12 than those of a similar age who have sharp, clear memory. In the same way B12 helps protect nerve cells, it helps protect the myelin sheaths of brain cells that are often lacking in Alzheimer’s patients. Some research suggests that cobalamin deficiency may cause a type of dementia in elderly patients that is in fact reversible with the right nutritional intervention. ^[4]

7. Keeps You Looking and Feeling Young

Aging happens when your cells begin to wear and tear, and they age faster when your DNA doesn’t replicate correctly. Many factors can affect DNA replication, like free radicals, toxins in the blood, high blood sugar, and high levels of omega-6 fats in your diet. B12 supports DNA health, thereby keeping your cells younger. And when your cells are young, you look and feel young too.

Do you take vitamin B12? What difference has it made in your life? Share your experiences below!

References:

1. Judy McBride. B12 Deficiency May Be More Widespread Than Thought. United States Department of Agriculture.


2. Ebesunun MO, Umahoin KO, Alonge TO, Adebusoye LA. Plasma homocysteine, B vitamins and bone mineral density in osteoporosis: a possible risk for bone fracture. Afr J Med Med Sci. 2014 Mar;43(1):41-7.


3. Biemans E1, Hart HE, Rutten GE, Cuellar Renteria VG, Kooijman-Buiting AM, Beulens JW. Cobalamin status and its relation with depression, cognition and neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using metformin. Acta Diabetol. 2014 Oct 15.


4. Osimani A, Berger A, Friedman J, Porat-Katz BS, Abarbanel JM. Neuropsychology of vitamin B12 deficiency in elderly demential patients and control subjects. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2005 Mar;18(1):33-8.