The Best Form of B12

A little B12 coupled with a little poison is the standard for supplemental B12.

This B12 is called 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.  One of the quickest ways to see if your supplement is worth it's weight is to see what type of B12 is being utilized in it. Remember supplements should be a win-win as we are utilizing them to go beyond where food alone could get us.

What is Cyanide doing in your B12?

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?  People are putting something into their body that is supposed to help them, yet it causes more work and unneeded stress on their liver in the process.  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) is the most active form of B12 and is be better absorbed and retained in our tissues 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. Methylcobalamin is intricately involved in DNA methylation via the metabolism of the amino acid Methionine, this process is essential for normal human development and inhibition of cancer.

The methyl group that is attached to B12 is important in the process of detoxification within 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.

BCAAs need B12

Adenosylcobalamin (dibencozide) is another 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. Unfortunately, adenosylcobalamin is very unstable in supplemental form.

Hydroxycobalamin 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 roll 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.

Elite Fuel contains the most dynamic and active form of B12, Methylcobalamin.   Elite Fuel is about enhancing performance in the midst of optimizing health for the long term.  Accept no substitutes!