South First spoke to medical experts to understand if fears around cyanocobalamin were justified, and found they might be largely unfounded.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can have symptoms ranging from anaemia to discoloration to tingling of extremities, and more. (Commons)
In a recent viral post on social media, Dr Dennis Walker — a prominent physician from the US — raised alarm over the use of cyanocobalamin in Vitamin B12 supplements. He claimed that it is harmful due to its breakdown into cyanide —a toxic substance.
The post quickly gained traction with over 1,000 reposts and 4,300 bookmarks, urging individuals to discard supplements containing cyanocobalamin in favour of forms like methylcobalamin or hydroxycobalamin.
Several people — including those from India — were shocked and concerned as the increase of B12 supplements has gone up in recent days.
However, South First spoke to medical experts to understand if the fears surrounding cyanocobalamin were right, and found that they might be largely unfounded.
The post by Walker warns ansgait cyanides and carcianogens — compunds that cause cancer.
It said: “Go to your medicine cabinet and take out your B12 supplement and look at the ingredients. If it says ‘cynacobalamin’ throw it in the trash. The ‘cyano’ portion of this is most disturbing. This breaks down into cyanide, which is deadly and toxic at high levels [sic].”
The post continued to suggest: “Instead of cyanocobalamin look for vitamin B12 in the form of Methylcobalamin, or hydroxycobalamin. No cyanide and absorbs just as well.”
It followed up with a request to re-tweet and share:
URGENT: Go to your medicine cabinet and take out your B12 supplement and look at the ingredients. If it says “cyanocobalamin” throw it in the trash. The “cyano” portion of this is most disturbing. This breaks down into cyanide, which is deadly and toxic at high levels.
RT and…
— Dr. Dennis Walker (@drdenwalker) April 12, 2024
As Vitamin B12 supplements are largely prescribed in India and some of the popular brands do contain cynacobalamin, doctors explainedef that cyanocobalamind are some of the most common and well-researched forms of Vitamin B12 in supplements.
They added that it was a synthetic form of Vitamin B12, which — indeed — contained a cyanide molecule. However, the amount of cyanide in cyanocobalamin was extremely small and rapidly eliminated by the body through natural processes.
Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, a noted gastroenterologist and also former president of the Indian Medical Association (Kochi chapter), said: “This is a typical alarmist statement that misleads the general public.”
He explained that cyanide was present in minuscule amounts in many foods people commonly used, such as tapioca, flaxseed, and apples.
“But we know from experience that these foods do not cause harm to humans,” he noted.
Cyanocobalamin, according to Jayadevan, was a stable synthetic precursor of Vitamin B12 — an essential vitamin.
He said the amount of cyanide produced as a result of the conversion to the active vitamin was so small that it presents no threat to humans when taken as directed by medical experts.
It was safely excreted by the body, he said, an assertion supported by numerous studies and health regulatory bodies that affirm the safety of cyanocobalamin for general use.
Dr Sudhir Kumar, a noted neurologist from Apollo Hospitals in Telangana who was popularly known as Hyderabaddoctor on X (formerl Twitter), confirmed.
He advocated the noted the lower levels of B12 and how several of his patients’ complicated problems have been due to lower levels of B12. He clarified to South First in detail about Walker’s post.
Signs of Vitamin B12 deficiency. (Creative Commons)
He said, “First of all, this post is not correct. Cyanocobalamin has been used in vitamin B12 supplements form are long-time compunds. Ever since our MBBS days, thy are totally safe”.
He explained: “Why they are preferred is that other forms —like methylcobalamin or adenosylcobalamin — are not stable and easily disintegrated, whereas cyanocobalamins are more stable. Hence, they can be stored and be given with more effectiveness,”
Also, vitamin B12 is treated with potassium cyanide and not hydrogen cyanide. The amount of cyanide that is there in tis is extremely miniscule.
For instance, if you look at amount of cyanide that can harm a person, it is roughly about 50mg per kg body weight where as the amount of cyanide that would come into our system by using Vitamin B12 is less than 3% of that. ANother interesting fact like the healthy smoothies, flaxseeds, apricots also contain naturally acting cyanide.
“It never exceeds 3-5% of the dose that could harm humans, so there is no need to fear consuming cyanocobalamin. Those who are taking it in the form of B12 supplements should not stop but continue to take them, as B12 deficiency is very common. Because B12 is not produced by the human body, it must be obtained from animal-based foods or supplements, which is especially important for vegetarians and vegans to monitor their intake. A deficiency in B12 can cause significant damage, including memory impairment, nerve problems, and other issues,” he added.
It can also be noted that the National Institutes of Health (NIH), along with other health authorities, categorise cyanocobalamin as a safe and effective form of Vitamin B12. The fears linked to cyanide poisoning from cyanocobalamin are more theoretical than practical, as no cases of toxicity from cyanocobalamin supplementation have been reliably reported in the medical literature.
While methylcobalamin and hydroxycobalamin are alternative forms of Vitamin B12, they are typically more expensive and not necessarily superior in terms of absorption, as claimed in some circles.
Experts advise that instead of discarding supplements based on unfounded claims, individuals should consult healthcare providers to understand better what form of Vitamin B12 best suits their needs.
(Edited by Arkadev Ghoshal)
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