Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B12 takes on a variety of important functions in the organism. These include helping to reduce tiredness and fatigue and maintaining a normal energy metabolism. It contributes to a normal function of the psyche, immune and nervous system, it supports the formation of red blood cells and is beneficial for a normal homocysteine metabolism. Furthermore, the body needs vitamin B12 cell division. Vitamin B12 acts as a so-called coenzyme in the body. This means that vitamin B12 is necessary for certain enzymes in our body to fulfil their tasks. The related processes are directly dependent on vitamin B12 and cannot take place without the vitamin.
Natural and Bioactive Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 ( cobalamin) exists in different chemical forms, each with different functions within the body. The natural forms of vitamin B12 that can be readily absorbed by the body are described as "bioactive coenzymes". Synthetic forms of Vitamin B12 such as cyanocobalamin must be first converted into a natural form by the body in order to be effective, which is why we use naturally bioactive forms of Vitamin B12 that the body can directly use.
Adenosylcobalamin
Adenosylcobalamin is one of the 2 natural, bioactive coenzyme forms of vitamin B12. Adenosylcobalamin can be used directly by the body without conversion and is characterised by good bioavailability.
Adenosylcobalamin is the predominant form of vitamin B12 in the organs and tissue. This coenzyme is the storage form of vitamin B12 in the liver and a particularly natural source for B12 in the diet. While adenosylcobalamin is the most common form of B12 in food, it is also produced by bacteria in the intestinal flora during digestion.
Adenosylcobalamin is also active within the mitochondria—the "powerhouse" of the cell—where it is part of the citric acid cycle, the main metabolic cycle for energy production. The citric acid cycle supplies not only energy, but also substances required for many other functions within the body, and is thus of great importance.
Health Benefits of Vitamin B12 According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA):
Vitamin B12 contributes to:
- Normal energy-yielding metabolism
- Normal functioning of the nervous system
- Normal homocysteine metabolism
- Normal psychological function
- Normal red blood cell formation
- The normal function of the immune system
- The reduction of tiredness and fatigue
- Vitamin B12 has a role in the process of cell division
