Vitamin B12 is essential to our wellbeing. It protects our DNA, nerve and brain cells and supports our energy and immune systems. It stimulates the production of serotonin – the ‘feel-good hormone’ – which, in turn, can help boost our mood. It’s found naturally in animal products such as meat, oily fish, eggs and dairy products.  As a result, vegetarians and vegans can sometimes fall short of different types of Vitamin B12 if they don’t balance or supplement their diet very carefully. What Are the Four Types of Vitamin B12? While known commonly as ‘Vitamin B12’ it does, in fact, exist in four very similar chemical forms, namely: Methylcobalamin Adenosylcobalamin Cyanocobalamin Hydroxocobalamin Methylcobalamin and Adenosylcobalamin are both naturally occurring co-enzymes that are found in food sources. They work synergistically in slightly different ways to cover most of your Vitamin B12 needs. Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic form of Vitamin B12 which the body converts into Adenosylcobalamin and Methylcobalamin before it can be used. The most common and cost-effective form of Vitamin B12, Cyanocobalamin is most often found in supplements and some fortified foods. Hydroxocobalamin is a highly bioavailable form of Vitamin B12 that is used to treat people with serious deficiencies. It’s only available on prescription and is usually administered by intramuscular shot or in an IV drip. Let’s look at the four types of Vitamin B12 in more detail here Methylcobalamin Methylcobalamin is the most bio-available type of Vitamin B12 which means the body absorbs it more easily. Naturally occurring, it is found in animal-based foods such as meat, fish, milk and eggs so Methylcobalamin B12 is readily available in many people’s daily diets. It is the most active form of Vitamin B12 and is used mainly in the liver, brain and nervous system. Adenosylcobalamin Adenosylcobalamin is also a naturally occurring, … Continue reading The Four Types of Vitamin B12: Which One Is Right for You?