There’s a common misconception that the cyanocobalamin form of B12 can be converted to cyanide, which is false. The carbon nitrogen group in B12, known as a nitrile group, is non-toxic. It’s important to be wary of alarmist claims about nutrition and flawed reasoning. The superior form of B12, methylcobalamin, will be the focus of the next discussion.
Want to learn more? Check out our other videos about Vitamin B12
Myth or Fact: Does Vitamin B12 Contain Cyanide?
Transcript
Does vitamin B12 contain cyanide? You may have heard the rumor that the cyanocobalamin form of B12 is somehow equivalent to or can be converted to cyanide in the body. Why would people think that? Is there any truth to it? Buckle your seat belts for a 32nd chemistry lesson to understand this topic. You got this. The notion that B12 can be converted to cyanide stems from a name of the portion of the B12 molecule, which is a carbon atom triple bonded to a nitrogen atom. In chemistry, this used to be referred to as a Sano group. Yes, the inorganic compounds of a triple bonded carbon atom with a nitrogen and a hydrogen is indeed cyanide. This has nothing to do with the carbon nitrogen group that’s widely found inorganic compounds like vitamin B12 inorganic compounds. The carbon nitrogen group is now more accurately referred to as a nitrile group. Naau groups are integral to many biological processes and are completely non-toxic. For example, they’re present in high amounts in the beneficial compounds found in mustard, wasabi, broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables, and they’re even responsible for the health benefits of those veggies. So when it comes to alarmist or sensational claims about nutrition, be aware of specious reasoning statements that appear plausible but are actually incomplete, deceptive, or even altogether wrong. All that said, there is actually a better form or more bioavailable form of B12, which is methyl kein. I’ll talk to you about that and how to get your B12 levels up in the next video.