Types of B12

Hi Debbie,

I’ve travelled to see my brother and found out that he is taking an oral tablet of “[B]cyanocobalam[/B]in”. He asked his doctor which kind of B12 he was taking and the doctor said he wasn’t aware of different kinds — ??? — The nurse left him the tablet container and cyanocobalamin was written on it — so that’s the only reason we know what kind it is. He takes 500 mcg daily along with a multi-vitamin.

I did some searching around and I haven’t been able to find any clinical references for taking one kind over the other. The “Life Extension” [ lef.org ] website does talk about the different kinds and does seem to indicate that methylcobalamin is the preferred type — HOWEVER… they SELL supplements… so I would feel better about their recommendations if I could find a reference that wasn’t also in the supplement business. Don’t-get-me-wrong, I’m a member of “LEF” and buy some of my supplements from them — I just think it’s important to validate their information with clinical studies etc etc.

I did find this site which I thought had a good explanation too — not sure “who” the website is though — but it was interesting:

[url]http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/vitamin-B12-cyanocobalamin.php[/url]

If you find any published studies on using one type over the other, please share the source. I hope to be at the hospital when the doctor comes by so that I can bring this topic up.

Best wishes…
Jann